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Looking back at their Mandela moment in the US

December 12, 2013 4:00AM ET

With news of his death, many remember the 1990 tour Mandela took of eight US cities, just months after he was freed

Topics:
Nelson Mandela
South Africa
Washington D.C.
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Mandela, 1990, New York City, freedom tour
After arriving in New York for his first trip to the United States, Nelson Mandela, accompanied by his wife Winnie, addressed the crowd at Kennedy airport. Mayor David Dinkins gave a thumbs-up sign, while Jesse Jackson looked on behind him. To the right of Mandela were Gov. Mario Cuomo and singer Harry Belafonte. Charles Rex Arbogast/AP
Mandela, New York, 1990, freedom tour, Winnie
New York Mayor David Dinkins displayed a street sign that marked the week of festivities his administration had prepared to honor Mandela. William Foley/Time Life Pictures/Getty Images
Mandela, New York, 1990, freedom tour, Winnie
Nearly 100,000 supporters crowded a rally in Mandela's honor in Harlem. Charlyn Zlotnik/Getty Images
Mandela, New York, 1990, freedom tour, Winnie, Boston
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis smiled at Mandela as she escorted him and Winnie on a tour of the John F. Kennedy Library in Boston. Peter Southwick/AP
Mandela, New York, 1990, freedom tour, Winnie, Washington DC
Winnie Mandela and First Lady Barbara Bush listened to their husbands during an official arrival ceremony at the White House during the administration of President George H.W. Bush. Dirck Halstead/Time Life Pictures/Getty Images
Mandela, New York, 1990, freedom tour, Winnie, Atlanta
In Atlanta, Coretta Scott King, right, awarded Mandela the first Martin Luther King Jr. International Freedom Award during a ceremony at the Big Bethel AME Church. David Longstreath/AP
Mandela, New York, 1990, freedom tour, Winnie, Miami
Mandela received a cooler reception in Miami, where anti-Castro Cuban exiles clashed with his supporters. Kathy Willens/AP
Mandela, New York, 1990, freedom tour, Winnie, Detroit
In Detroit, he was greeted on the tarmac by civil rights icon Rosa Parks, who stands between Nelson and Winnie Mandela. David Longstreath/AP
Mandela, New York, 1990, freedom tour, Winnie, Los Angeles
In Los Angeles, Mayor Tom Bradley awarded Mandela the key to the city. Doug Mills/AP
Mandela, New York, 1990, freedom tour, Winnie
Mandela showed fatigue during his L.A. visit, and organizers almost canceled his event in Oakland. Throughout the tour, there were concerns about his health. Doug Mills/AP
Mandela, New York, 1990, freedom tour, Winnie
He rallied, however, and made a triumphant appearance in Oakland, his last stop of the eight-city tour. Peter Southwick/AP