Mandela Day: Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Nelson Mandela

July 18 is Mandela Day, also known as Nelson Mandela Day or Nelson Mandela International Day. The annual event commemorates Nelson Mandela's birth, his extraordinary body of work and life. Mandela Day inspires and encourages young and old alike from all over the world to "Take Action, Inspire Change: Make Every Day a Mandela Day."

Nelson R. Mandela was born in South Africa on July 18, 1918. While he spent the majority of his life in public service, he led a movement against apartheid and was eventually imprisoned from 1964 to 1982 to the notorious Robben Island in South Africa. Robben Island not only served as a prison for criminal, military and political prisoners, but also served as a hospital for lepers. Mandela retired from public life in 2004 but his amazing work lives on.

In honor of the annual event, people around the world are encouraged to donate 67 minutes helping others. Whether you are a business, organization or individual, everyone is encouraged to participate.