Feb. 11, 1990: Nelson Mandela is released from prison at age 72.
1991: ANC holds its first national conference in South Africa; Mandela is elected president of the party.
1993: Mr. de Klerk and Mandela are jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
April 27, 1994: South Africa’s first democratic election, open to all races.
May 10, 1994: Nelson Mandela inaugurated as the first black president of South Africa. He pledges that "all South Africans, both black and white, will be able to walk tall, without any fear in their hearts, assured of their inalienable right to human dignity."
1996: Amid claims of her infidelity, Mandela divorces Winnie Madikizela.