July 18, 1918 - Born to Hendry Mphakanyiswa, a Thembu chief, and Nosekeni Qunu in the Umtata district of the Transkei, at a time when virtually all of Africa was under European colonial rule.
1940 - Expelled from the University of Fort Hare, a leading institution for blacks, for his role in a student strike.
1942 - Joins the African National Congress, South Africa’s main campaigner for black equality.
1943 - Receives a bachelor’s degree from Fort Hare after completing correspondence courses through the University of South Africa.
June 4, 1948 - The National Party, dominated by white Dutch-descended Afrikaners, is elected to power and begins installing apartheid, a system of complete racial segregation. It will rule without interruption for 46 years.
1952 - Mandela leads the Defiance Campaign, encouraging people to break racial separation laws; is convicted under the Suppression of Communism Act and banned from attending gatherings and leaving Johannesburg; passes an exam to qualify as an attorney and, with Oliver Tambo, a future African National Congress president, forms the first black law partnership in the country.
1958 - Marries social worker Winnie Nomzamo Madikizela after divorcing Evelyn Mase, his first wife.
1961 - Helps establish the African National Congress guerrilla wing, Umkhonto we Sizwe, or Spear of the Nation.
April 20, 1964 - At a time when many African colonies have become independent and Mandela is on trial for sabotage, he declares from the dock that he is “prepared to die” for a democratic South Africa.
June 12, 1964 - Mandela and six others are sentenced to life imprisonment and sent to notorious Robben Island to serve their sentences.
Feb. 10, 1985 - A release offer is made on condition he renounce violence. In a fiery refusal, read by his daughter Zindzi at a rally, Mandela says the burden is on the government to renounce violence, end apartheid and negotiate.
1985 - While in the hospital for prostate surgery he is visited by Justice Minister Kobie Coetsee, the beginning of a political and diplomatic process that will lead Dec.9, 1988, to his transfer to better prison conditions on the mainland, north of Cape Town.
July 5, 1989 - Meets President P.W. Botha.
Dec. 13, 1989 - Meets Botha’s successor, F.W. de Klerk.
Feb. 2, 1990 - At the opening of Parliament, de Klerk announces the legalization of all political organizations including the African National Congress.
Feb. 10, 1990 - De Klerk announces Mandela will be released the next day.
Feb. 11, 1990 - Walks out of prison, hand in hand with wife Winnie, to cheering crowds.
Oct. 15, 1993 - Mandela and de Klerk share the Nobel Peace Prize.
May 10, 1994 - Is inaugurated as South Africa’s first black president after the African National Congress wins South Africa’s first all-race election.
March 19, 1996 - Is granted a divorce from Winnie.
July 18, 1998 - Weds former Mozambican first lady Graca Machel on his 80th birthday.
June 16, 1999 - Retires after one term, a rarity among African presidents, but continues to be active in causes promoting world peace, supporting children and fighting AIDS.
Jan. 30, 2003 - In a speech, calls President George W. Bush arrogant and shortsighted for ignoring the United Nations on Iraq.
June 1, 2004 - Announces retirement from public life.
July 11, 2010 - Waves to the crowd at Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg as South Africa bids farewell to the 2010 soccer World Cup. Driven in a small golf cart and seated alongside wife, Graca Machel, the smiling, warmly dressed Mandela is welcomed by a thunderous mix of vuvuzelas and roars from the crowd.
June 21, 2011 - Meets at his home with Michelle Obama, her two daughters and other relatives of President Barack Obama. December 2012 - Spends nearly three weeks in a hospital, where he is treated for a lung infection and has a procedure to remove gallstones.
June 8, 2013 - The government says Mandela is admitted to a hospital with a recurring lung infection. Officials describe his condition as serious but stable.
Dec. 5, 2013 - Mandela dies at age 95.
Front Section, Pages 3 on 12/06/2013