Today in history, on February 11, 1990, a momentous event occurred. Anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela, after serving 27 years in prison, was finally released. This day was not just a day of celebration but a day that marked the end of apartheid. Four years later, he was elected the first president of South Africa, demonstrating the power of his resilience and the significance of his release.

Mandela was involved with African nationalist politics from a young age. At 25, he joined the African National Congress (ANC). By the 1950s, he was a loud but nonviolent opponent of the apartheid government. Despite the setbacks, Mandela’s resilience shone through. A group of protestors, including Mandela, were arrested in 1961 and later released. In response to police killings of peaceful protestors, he organized a paramilitary branch of the ANC for guerilla warfare. He was arrested again in 1962 and found guilty with a five-year sentence. While in prison, he was charged with sabotage and conspiracy and found guilty again — this time sentenced to life.

Despite being imprisoned, Nelson Mandela remained an activist and became a symbol of resistance against apartheid. In 1989, F.W. de Klerk became the president of South Africa. Recognizing that the country was on the brink of civil war, he quickly began working to dismantle apartheid. In 1990, he ordered Mandela’s release from prison, and Mandela walked out to cheering crowds. In 1993, both Mandela and de Klerk were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts. In 1994, South Africa held its first multiracial election, and Mandela was elected as president. He retired in 1999 and passed away on December 4, 2013, at the age of 95. Mandela is still widely recognized as an icon of democracy and social justice.