Jul 18, 2017

Nelson Mandela died in 2013 at the age of 95. Internet users are remembering South Africa’s first black president and renowned anti-apartheid activist with the hashtag #MandelaDay on July 18, which would have been his 99th birthday.

: People listen to a radio as South African President Jacob Zuma announces the death of former South African President Nelson Mandela in Houghton, December 5, 2013. Mandela died peacefully at his Johannesburg home on Thursday after a prolonged lung infection, Zuma said. Mandela, the country’s first black president and anti-apartheid icon known in South Africa by his clan name of Madiba, emerged from 27 years in apartheid prisons to help guide South Africa through bloodshed and turmoil to democracy. (Siphiwe Sibeko/REUTERS)

: In this undated file photo Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat is pictured meeting with Nelson Mandela the former leader of South Africa. Medics announced on October 31, 2004 that Arafat’s health is in a serious condition, after the illness that has persisted for two weeks, took a sudden turn for the worse. Test have so far proved inconclusive and more results are expected on Wednesday. (Palestinian Authorities via Getty Images)

: A file photo taken in 1957 shows South African anti-apartheid leader and African National Congress (ANC) member Nelson Mandela posing with his wife Winnie during their wedding. (Getty Images)

: A file photo taken on February 11, 1990 shows a jubilant Sowetan holding up a newspaper announcing the release of anti-apartheid leader and African National Congress (ANC) member Nelson Mandela, at a mass ANC rally in Soweto. South African President de Klerk lifted on February 2, the 30-year-old ban on the ANC and the South African Communist Party, leading to the release on February 11 of Nelson Mandela from the Victor Vester prison, near Cape Town, after a 27-year imprisonnement. (Trevor Samson/AFP/Getty Images)

: South African President Nelson Mandela speaks in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., in this file photo from September 23, 1998. (Chuck Kennedy/MCT)

: South African President Nelson Mandela waves to the crowd at the end of his speech during a rally at Brits, South Africa in this April 11, 1999, file photo. (Anacleto Rapping/Los Angeles Times/MCT)

: A file photo taken on March 15, 1994 shows the President of the African National Congress (ANC) Nelson Mandela raising a clenched fist to supporters upon his arrival for an election rally ahead of the April 27 general elections in Mmabatho. South Africans will vote 27 April 1994 in the country’s first democratic and multiracial general elections. (Walter Dhladhla/AFP/Getty Images)

: U.S. President Barack Obama pauses as he makes a statement regarding the death of former South African president Nelson Mandela at the James Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House December 5, 2013 in Washington, DC. Incumbent South African President Jacob Zuma announced that Mandela has died at the age of 95. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

: South Africans light candles outside Nelson Mandela’s home in Johannesburg on December 6, 2013 . Mandela, the revered icon of the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa and one of the towering political figures of the 20th century, has died aged 95, President Jacob Zuma said on December 6. (Alexander Joel/AFP/Getty Images)

: Members of the media gather outside Nelson Mandela’s home in Johannesburg on December 6,2013 . Mandela, the revered icon of the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa and one of the towering political figures of the 20th century, has died aged 95, President Jacob Zuma said on December 6. (Alexander Joel/AFP/Getty Images)

: South Africans light candles outside Nelson Mandela’s home in Johannesburg on December 6, 2013 . Mandela, the revered icon of the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa and one of the towering political figures of the 20th century, has died aged 95, President Jacob Zuma said on December 6. (Alexander Joel/AFP/Getty Images)

: South African police set up a cordon outside the house of former South African president Nelson Mandela following his death in Johannesburg on December 5, 2013. Mandela, the revered icon of the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa and one of the towering political figures of the 20th century, has died aged 95. Mandela, who was elected South Africa’s first black president after spending nearly three decades in prison, had been receiving treatment for a lung infection at his Johannesburg home since September, after three months in hospital in a critical state. (Alexander Joe/AFP/Getty Images)

: Nelson Mandela (L) ANC president and South African President Frederik de Klerk shake hands at the Grand Hotel in Oslo 09 December 1993, on the eve before receiving jointly the Nobel Peace prize. (Gerard Julien/AFP/Getty Images)

: People light candles after an announcement of the death of former South African President Nelson Mandela in Houghton, December 5, 2013. Mandela died peacefully at his Johannesburg home on Thursday after a prolonged lung infection, President Jacob Zuma said. Mandela, the country’s first black president and anti-apartheid icon known in South Africa by his clan name of Madiba, emerged from 27 years in apartheid prisons to help guide South Africa through bloodshed and turmoil to democracy. (Siphiwe Sibeko/REUTERS)

: People listen to a radio as South African President Jacob Zuma announces the death of former South African President Nelson Mandela in Houghton, December 5, 2013. Mandela died peacefully at his Johannesburg home on Thursday after a prolonged lung infection, Zuma said. Mandela, the country’s first black president and anti-apartheid icon known in South Africa by his clan name of Madiba, emerged from 27 years in apartheid prisons to help guide South Africa through bloodshed and turmoil to democracy. (Siphiwe Sibeko/REUTERS)

: South Africans gather outside Nelson Mandela’s home in Johannesburg on December 6, 2013 . Mandela, the revered icon of the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa and one of the towering political figures of the 20th century, has died aged 95, President Jacob Zuma said on December 6. (Alexander Joel/AFP/Getty Images)

: The newly installed statue of former South African President Nelson Mandela is seen in front of the South African Embassy on December 5, 2013, in Washington, DC. Mandela succumbed to a recurrent lung infection on Thursday. He was 95. (Paul J. Richards/AFP/Getty Images)

: A women cries as she holds a candle and a flower outside former South African President Nelson Mandela’s house in Houghton, December 5, 2013. Mandela died peacefully at his Johannesburg home on Thursday after a prolonged lung infection, President Jacob Zuma said. Mandela, the country’s first black president and anti-apartheid icon known in South Africa by his clan name of Madiba, emerged from 27 years in apartheid prisons to help guide South Africa through bloodshed and turmoil to democracy. (Siphiwe Sibeko/REUTERS)

: Nelson Mandela, right, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu in Cape Town, South Africa, celebrate Mandela’s 1994 presidential victory. Illustrates MANDELA-OBIT (category a), by Sudarsan Raghavan and Lynne Duke (c) 2013, The Washington Post. Moved Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013. (Washington Post photo by Dudley Brooks)

: ANC leader Nelson Mandela, who expects to be South Africa’s president after April 26-28 election, joins in a festive dance with seventh graders from Steadville High School, who were among thousands at a Natal rally. ( Washington Post photo by Michael Williamson)

: South Africans react as they pay tribute to former South African president Nelson Mandela following his death in Johannesburg on December 5, 2013. Mandela, the revered icon of the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa and one of the towering political figures of the 20th century, has died aged 95. Mandela, who was elected South Africa’s first black president after spending nearly three decades in prison, had been receiving treatment for a lung infection at his Johannesburg home since September, after three months in hospital in a critical state. (Alexander Joe/AFP/Getty Images)

: South Africans react as they pay tribute to former South African president Nelson Mandela following his death in Johannesburg on December 5, 2013. Mandela, the revered icon of the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa and one of the towering political figures of the 20th century, has died aged 95. Mandela, who was elected South Africa’s first black president after spending nearly three decades in prison, had been receiving treatment for a lung infection at his Johannesburg home since September, after three months in hospital in a critical state. (Alexander Joe/AFP/Getty Images)

: The United Nations Security Council observes a minute of silence upon the news of the death of former South African President Nelson Mandela, at the U.N. headquarters in New York December 5, 2013. Mandela died peacefully at his Johannesburg home on Thursday after a prolonged lung infection, President Jacob Zuma said. Mandela, the country’s first black president and anti-apartheid icon, emerged from 27 years in apartheid prisons to help guide South Africa through bloodshed and turmoil to democracy. (Eskinder Debebe/United Nations/REUTERS)

: Former South African President Nelson Mandela waves as he leaves after casting his vote at a polling station in Houghton, Johannesburg, in this April 22, 2009 file photo. Mandela has passed away on December 5, 2013 at the age of 95. (Siphiwe Sibeko/Files/REUTERS)

: Zaire’s rebel leader Laurent-Desire Kabila (L) shakes hands with South African Deputy President Thabo Mbeki (R), while President Nelson Mandela looks on, 16 April at Tuynhuis in Cape Town, prior to discussions on the Zaire conflict. (Anna Zieminski/AFP/Getty Images)

: Laila Ali (L), the daughter of boxing legend Muhammad Ali, gives a hug to former South African president and Nobel Peace prize laureate Nelson Mandela (R) during a visit at the Nelson Mandela Foundation in Johannesburg on 30 January 2007. Ali is in South Africa to defend her light heavyweight world title against Gwendolyn O’Neill 03 February 2007, the first ever boxing tournament to be head by a female in South Africa. (Getty Images)

: South African President Nelson Mandela receives a cricket bat from the South African Cricket captain, Hansie Cronje, during the lunch break on the third day of the Second Test between South Africa and India at Newlands on January 4, 1997. (Adil Bradlow/AFP/Getty Image)

: The former South African president Nelson Mandela wears a traditional Xhosa hat 11 February 2000, during a ceremony at his village of Qunu. Mandela is celebrating the 10TH anniversary of his release from the Robben Island jail. (Yaov Lemmer/AFP/Getty Images)

: ANC president Nelson Mandela is surrounded by young supporters after addressing residents at Phola Park, a squatter settlement east of Johannesburg, 31 May 1992. (Walter Dhladh/AFP/Getty Images)

: South Africa’s former President Nelson Mandela poses at the launch of the new book Mandela: The Authorised Portrait on October 9, 2006 in Johannesburg. (Alexander Joel/AFP/Getty Images)

: South Africa’s first black President Nelson Mandela (L) and South African President Thabo Mbeki (R) joke on October 9, 2006 in Johannesburg at the launch of the new book Mandela: The Authorised Portrait. (Alexander Joel/AFP/Getty Images)

: Former South African President Nelson Mandela speaks to journalists and dignitaries at the Mandela Foundation in Johannesburg after being given a book to mark his 85 birthday on 17 July 2003. (Alexander Joel/AFP/Getty Images)

: Former South African President Nelson Mandela sits beneath the window of his prison cell on Robben Island near Cape Town, in this November 28, 2003 file photo. Mandela has passed away on December 5, 2013 at the age of 95. (Mike Hutchings/REUTERS)

: South African President Nelson Mandela gestures during his state of the nation address at the opening of parliament in Cape Town, in this file picture taken February 7, 1997. Mandela has passed away on December 5, 2013 at the age of 95. (REUTERS file)

: South African President Nelson Mandela goes on a walkabout round Trafalgar Square in London 12 July 1996 on his way to South Africa House, where he made a speech from the balcony to the crowds. Mandela was on the last day of his four-day state visit to the United Kingdom. (Getty Images)

: South African President F.W. de Klerk (R) and African National Congress leader Nelson Mandela (L) hold up medals and certificates after they were jointly awarded the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize at a ceremony in Oslo’s city hall in this December 10, 1993 file photo. Mandela has passed away on December 5, 2013 at the age of 95. (Reuters files)

: South Africa’s President Nelson Mandela is seen in this August 1996 file photo. Mandela has passed away on December 5, 2013 at the age of 95. (Mike Hutchings/REUTERS)

: African National Congress leaders Nelson Mandela (L) and Oliver Tambo meet for the first time after 28 years in Stockholm, in this March 12, 1990 file photo. Mandela has passed away on December 5, 2013 at the age of 95. (Anders Holmstroem/REUTERS files)

: South African President Nelson Mandela (R) and Second Deputy President F.W. de Klerk hold their hands high as they address a huge crowd of people in front of the Union Building after the inauguration ceremony in Pretoria in this May 10, 1994 file photo. Mandela has passed away on December 5, 2013 at the age of 95. (Juda Ngwenya/REUTERS files)

: Nelson Mandela laughs with journalists and performers participating in the second 46664 concert near the small Western Cape province town of George in this March 18, 2005 file photo. Mandela has passed away on December 5, 2013 at the age of 95. (Mike Hutchings/REUTERS files)

: Former South African President Nelson Mandela attends a memorial for his biographer and former editor of “Drum” magazine Anthony Sampson in Johannesburg in this February 8, 2005 file photo. Mandela has passed away on December 5, 2013 at the age of 95. (Radu Sigheti/REUTERS files)

: Former South African President Nelson Mandela smiles as he formally announces his retirement from public life at his foundation’s offices in Johannesburg in this June 1, 2004 file photo. Mandela has passed away on December 5, 2013 at the age of 95. (Mike Hutchings/REUTERS files)

: Nelson Mandela (front L), accompanied by his wife Winnie, walks out of the Victor Verster prison, near Cape Town, after spending 27 years in apartheid jails in this February 11, 1990 file photo. (Juda Ngwenya/REUTERS files)

: A man washing a ‘Free Mandela’ slogan off the side of King’s College Chapel, Cambridge. (Peter Dunne/Getty Images)

: Nelson Mandela makes a speech at the “46664 – Give One Minute of Your Life to AIDS” concert at Greenpoint Stadium on November 29, 2003 in Cape Town, South Africa. The concert will benefit the Nelson Mandela Foundation and the fight against AIDS in Africa. (Frank Micelotta/Getty Images)

Tribune and wire reports

Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s beloved first black president and anti-apartheid hero, died in 2013 at the age of 95. He had been suffering recurring lung infections that were the legacy of tuberculosis contracted in prison during his long fight against oppression.

Although out of the limelight in recent years because of the infirmities of age, Mandela, or Madiba, the clan name by which he was affectionately known to many South Africans, remained a revered symbol of the fight he led against the nation’s apartheid regime.

On July 18, 2017, world leaders and organizations remembered his legacy with the hashtag #MandelaDay, posting quotes and videos in tribute.

Remembering my friend on #MandelaDay—his life is an ongoing inspiration to all who treasure freedom, peace, and reconciliation. https://t.co/F5fsJq4WFi

— Bill Clinton (@billclinton) July 18, 2017

On #MandelaDay & every day, Nelson Mandela's words inspire us to "ensure that democracy, peace & prosperity prevail everywhere." pic.twitter.com/xNyMFsStIj

— United Nations (@UN) July 18, 2017

There is no passion to be found playing small – in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living. #MandelaDay

— NAACP (@NAACP) July 18, 2017

#MandelaDay: Remembering Nelson Mandela on his 99th birthday

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