Nelson Mandela Day 2023: Every year on July 18, Nelson Mandela International Day is celebrated. In 2009, the United Nations General Assembly officially declared Mandela Day, and the first UN Mandela Day took place on July 18, 2010. Rather than being a public holiday, the day is intended to celebrate Nelson Mandela’s life and work.
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Nelson Mandela Day Theme 2023
The Nelson Mandela 2023 theme is “The Legacy Lives on Through You: Climate, Food and Solidarity”. As part of Nelson Mandela Day 2023, the Nelson Mandela Foundation will focus on its food and nutrition program.
About Nelson Mandela – Short Biography
The first democratically elected black president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela (full name Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela) was a black nationalist. A system of racial segregation and apartheid in South Africa was ended by him in the early 1990s through negotiations with F W de Clerk, the then South African President. The Nobel Prize for Peace was jointly awarded to both presidents in 1993. From 1994 to 1999, he served as president of South Africa.
The South African government imprisoned Mandela for treason from 1964 to 1982. The black community supported him even while he was incarcerated. According to reports, he rejected three conditional releases during this period.
In spite of not seeking a second term as president, Mandela maintained a powerful international presence, promoting peace and social justice.
A prolonged respiratory infection led to Mandela’s death in 2013 at the age of 95.
The 18th Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture
Nelson Mandela International Day in 2020 marked the 18th Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture, delivered by UN Secretary-General António Guterres. Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the lecture was held via videoconferencing for the first time. The Secretary-General highlighted that the world must continue to fight injustices and inequalities in the modern world.
67 minutes Mandela Day
The Nelson Mandela Day is also known as 67 Minutes Mandela Day. On this day, people are encouraged to do good for 67 minutes, one minute for every year that Mandela served his country.
Why was July 18 chosen for Nelson Mandela International Day?
The 18th of July is Nelson Mandela’s birthday. On his 90th birthday, Mandela announced the idea of this day, saying: “It is time for new hands to lift the burdens.” Now, the burden is in your hands.”
In recognition of Nelson Mandela’s contribution to the culture of peace and freedom, the UN General Assembly declared 18 July “Nelson Mandela International Day” in 2009. In resolution A/RES/64/13, Mandela is recognized for his values and commitment to the service of humanity in conflict resolution, race relations, human rights promotion and protection, reconciliation, gender equality, protection of children and vulnerable groups, and poverty relief and social justice. As part of this resolution, he is recognized for his contribution to promoting a culture of peace around the world and the struggle for democracy internationally.
Nelson Mandela Rules
December 2015 – the General Assembly decided to expand the scope of Nelson Mandela International Day to include raising awareness of prisoners’ continuous participation in society and valuing their work as a special service. To honor the legacy of the late President of South Africa, who spent 27 years in prison during his struggle, the General Assembly resolution A/RES/70/175 not only adopted the revised United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners but also named them “Nelson Mandela Rules”.
Nelson Mandela International Day – FAQs
Every year on the 18th of July, Nelson Mandela Day is observed.
The day is also the birthday of Nelson Mandela.
The first UN Mandela Day was held on July 18, 2010.
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela is the full name of Mandela.
Nelson Mandela dies at the age of 95.