1918 - Born in the Eastern Cape

1943 - Joined African National Congress

1956 - Charged with high treason, but charges dropped

1962 - Arrested, convicted of sabotage, sentenced to five years in prison

1964 - Charged again, sentenced to life

1990 - Freed from prison

1993 - Wins Nobel Peace Prize

1994 - Elected first black president

1999 - Steps down as leader

2001 - Diagnosed with prostate cancer

2004 - Retires from public life

2005 - Announces his son has died of an HIV/Aids-related illness

2007 - Forms The Elders group

2010 - Appears at closing ceremony of World Cup

2013 - Died after a recurrence of a lung infection