Key dates in Mandela's life

Key dates in the life of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela:

July 18, 1918: Born into Thembu royal family in Mvezo village in southeast South Africa.

1940: Expelled from Fort Hare University College for participating in student strike.

1941: Moved to Johannesburg, became mine policeman.

1942: Joined African National Congress (ANC).

1944: Married Evelyn Mase, trainee nurse.

1952: Opened first black law practice in Johannesburg with Oliver Tambo.

1956: Among 156 political activists arrested and charged with treason.

1958: Married social worker Nomzamo Zaniewe Winifred "Winnie" Madikizela.

1960: Security forces massacred 67 protesters in Sharpeville. Government banned ANC and Pan African Congress and declared state of emergency.

1961: Acquitted in treason trial, along with co-accused.

Launch of ANC's armed wing, Umkhonto weSizwe (Spear of the Nation), with Mandela as commander in chief.

1962: Captured and sentenced to five years in prison for incitement to strike and leaving country illegally.

1963: While serving this sentence, charged with sabotage and treason along with other ANC activists arrested in Rivonia near Johannesburg.

June 12, 1964: After famous speech from dock (democracy "is an ideal for which I am prepared to die"), sentenced to life imprisonment, sent to Robben Island prison off Cape Town.

1989: Met president PW Botha and FW de Klerk, who became Botha's successor.

1990: Released from prison February 11.

1991: Elected ANC president.

1992: Separated from Winnie.

1993: Won Nobel peace prize with De Klerk.

1994: First all-race elections. Inaugurated May 10 as president.

1998: Married Graca Machel, widow of Mozambican president Samora Machel.

1999: Handed over presidency to Thabo Mbeki.

2004: Announced his retirement from public life.

2005: Announced that his son Makgatho had died of HIV/Aids.

- AFP