Timeline of Nelson Mandela's life

1958      

Mandela marries Winnie Madikizela.

1960    

The Sharpeville Massacre takes place on March 21. Sixty-nine people are killed when South African police open fire on demonstrators in the township. 

1960      

South Africa declares a state of emergency prior to banning the ANC on April 8.

1961      

The military wing of the ANC, Umkhonto we Sizwe (Spear of the Nation), is cofounded by Mandela in response to the Sharpeville Massacre. 

1962      

Mandela is arrested and sentenced to five years' imprisonment with hard labor.

1963      

Along with other leaders of the ANC and Umkhonto we Sizwe, Mandela stands trial, charged with trying to overthrow the government. The young leader makes a statement from the dock that would become famous. The proceeding becomes known as the Rivonia Trial after the Johannesburg suburb where several of the defendants were arrested. 

1964     

Mandela and seven others are sentenced to life imprisonment on June 12. He will spend 27 years behind bars. He is held at Robben Island Prison from 1964 to 1982, Pollsmoor Prison on the mainland from 1982 to 1988 and Victor Vester Prison in Paarl until his release in 1990.

1976  

The Soweto uprising begins on June 16, as police fire on thousands of young black South Africans protesting a law that would make Afrikaans the main teaching language in schools. Although the government says 95 people are killed, more than 500 likely die. The event helps propel the anti-apartheid struggle to the world stage. 

1985

Mandela rejects, through his daughter Zindzi, South African President P.W. Botha's offer to release him if he renounces violence. 

1988    

The Free Nelson Mandela Concert at Wembley Stadium in London is attended by 72,000 people. That same year, he is diagnosed with tuberculosis.

1989  

South African President F.W. de Klerk announces sweeping reforms at the opening session of parliament on Feb. 2. Changes include lifting the ban on the ANC and the unconditional release of Mandela.

1990     

Mandela is released from prison on Feb. 11.

1991      

The first national conference of the ANC is held inside South Africa since it was banned 31 years earlier. Mandela is elected president of the party.

1993      

De Klerk and Mandela win a shared Nobel Peace Prize. 

1994      

South Africa holds its first free general election on April 27. Mandela votes for the first time in his life, and is elected president. The ANC picks up 62 percent of the vote, and wins seven of the country's nine provinces. The country's new leader is inaugurated on May 10. 

1994      

His autobiography, "Long Walk to Freedom," is published. 

1996

Mandela divorces his wife Winnie, having separated from her on suspicion of adultery. Two years later he marries his third wife, Graca Machel, the widow of the former president of Mozambique.

1999      

Steps down after one term as president and starts the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

2001

Mandela is diagnosed with prostate cancer.

2004 

Retires from public life, saying, "Don't call me, I'll call you."

2005 

Mandela's son Makgatho dies of AIDS. 

2010    

Makes his last public appearance at the soccer World Cup in South Africa. 

2013    

Mandela spends his 95th birthday in the hospital, and dies on Dec. 5 at home with his family. His death is announced to the world by President Jacob Zuma.