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Today, July 18th is International Nelson Mandela Day. In 2009, the United Nations decided to honor the former president of South Africa every year on his birthday. Mandela, who is known as a symbol of peace and freedom around the world, had a profound impact in world history, he was able to negotiate and bring peace to his country, during a very racially divided time.
He didn’t stop there, for years to come, he continued to fight for human rights, inequality, racism and his efforts echoed around the world. In 1993, he was awarded The Nobel Peace Prize. Mandela left a mark on the world with his actions and memorable words about race, poverty, love and hate and more.
“No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”
To pay tribute to his legacy, we gathered a collection of photos of many famous people that stood by him, became his friend or had a chance to meet this visionary leader.
© GettyImagesQueen Elizabeth II poses with Nelson Mandela at Buckingham Palace on May 3, 2000
© GettyImagesSouth African President Nelson Mandela and Princess Diana in the Mandela’s home, in Cape Town, South Africa
© GettyImagesNelson Mandela hugs British supermodel Naomi Campbell
© GettyImagesNelson Mandela met with Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, during his visit to South Africa.
© GettyImagesRobert De Niro and Nelson Mandela during 2002 Tribeca Film Festival
© GettyImagesNelson Mandela and Beyonce during the Give 1 Minute of Your Life To AIDS Concert
© GettyImagesDavid Beckham posed with Nelson Mandela on May 21, 2003 at the Nelson Mandela Foundation in Houghton, Johannesburg, South Africa.
© GettyImagesNelson Mandela and actor Will Smith participate in, “46664 Celebrity Golf Tournament”
© GettyImagesNelson Mandela and Oprah Winfrey at the launch of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls School in Vaal, South Africa.
© GettyImagesCelebrity Chef Gordon Ramsay met Nelson Mandela during a lunch to Benefit the Mandela Children’s Foundation in 2009
© GettyImagesNY Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Nelson Mandela, Robert De Niro and Hugh Grant at the 2002 Tribeca Film Festival
© GettyImagesNelson Mandela and Annie Lennox during the ‘46664’ concert (a benefit for ads) in 2003
© GettyImagesFormer Presidents Bill Clinton and Nelson Mandela visit the Walter Sisulu Paediatric Cardiac Centre for Africa, at the Sunninghill Hospital in Johannesburg, July 13, 2006.
© GettyImagesPrince Charles, Nelson Mandela and Spice Girls in Charles‘ visit in Johannesburg, Southe Africa in November, 1997.
© GettyImagesNelson Mandela with singer Bono at the Thanksgiving Dinner prior to the 46664 concert on November 27, 2003 in Cape Town, South Africa.
© GettyImagesOscar winning Actress Charlize Theron wiping tears after meeting Nelson Mandela in 2004
© GettyImagesNelson Mandela pictured here with Prince Charles at the People’s Party held at Amsterdam Aren, 01 February 2002.
© GettyImagesNelson Mandela congratulates Stevie Wonder after he performed a birthday song at a pop concert dubbed “Gift to the Nation” in honor of Mandela’s 80th birthday
© GettyImagesNelson Mandela photographed laughing with Hillary Clinton during a meeting in Johannesburg on August 7, 2009.
© GettyImagesNelson Mandela met the Dalai Lama
© GettyImagesWhoopi Goldberg met Nelson Mandela in the 1990s
© GettyImagesNelson Mandela with Pope John Paul II during their meeting at the Vatican 18 June 1998.
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