Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born in Qunu, South
Africa, on July 18, 1918 and Nelson Mandela dead 95 years later was buried
there, on December 5, 2013. The South Africa hero filled the years between with
service to others, unending dedication to racial equality, and a life that has
inspired hundreds of thousands, if not millions of people.
After
months out of public sight, people asked, “Is Nelson Mandela dead?” Upon
learning of his critical illness, they speculated, “What will we do when Nelson
Mandela dies?” Then, the announcement came, answering affirmatively to
questions asking, “Did Nelson Mandela die?” When, at home surrounded by family,
including ex-wife Winnie, he succumbed to a respiratory infection that battle for months, Nelson Mandela’s death
date made news around the world. Headlines globally exclaimed,” “Nelson Mandela
die in Johannesburg,” “Nelson Mandela died at 95”and“World Mourns Nelson
Mandela’s Death,” inspiring incredulous inquiries whether news of Nelson
Mandela’s death was true and worried wondering about the impact of this loss
upon the world.
News
of his death extended out of this world, too, reaching the International Space
Station. A couple days before Mandela’s funeral, NASA astronaut Rick
Mastracchic tweeted , “ From the ISS we say goodbye to Nelson Mandela”, along with an image of Cape Town
taken from more than 250 miles up by the International Space Station. News of
his death reached around the world to Trinidad and Tobago. The Islands’
government announced that a day early in 2014 would be declared Mandela Day in
honour of the death of the Noble Peace Prize winner and in celebration of his
life.
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