To millions of people around the world, Nelson Mandela stands, as no other living figure does, for the triumph of dignity and hope over despair and hatred, of self-discipline and love over persecution and evil. His strength and moral authority, even as he enters his 91st year, remain undiminished.

Mandela Day - A 46664 celebration
Mandela Day, July 18th (Nelson Mandela’s birthday) will become recognized as an international annual celebration of his lifetime of commitment. It will represent an ongoing call to action for all of us to make an imprint and to celebrate the occasion. Mandela Day is not a day off, but instead a day to opt in and to demonstrate that we can all make a difference of value, however small.

Mandela Day is a day on which to share and understand the values that have embodied his life – fighting for humanitarian rights, helping people in need and practicing reconciliation.  These are the essential tools not only of true leadership, but also of exemplary citizenship.

Today, beset with seemingly overwhelming issues, we continue to need both inspiration and guidance to take responsibility for ourselves and, in so doing, begin to learn to understand our responsibility to others. The mission of his charitable organizations is to uphold these values and to ensure that his legacy continues for all to benefit from.  As a global call to action, we have reached out to leaders across the world to recognize the date of July 18th, Mandela Day, as a diarized annual ‘day of humanitarian action’ in perpetuity.

Making an Imprint
He was 24 when he became actively involved in politics.
He was 45 when he was sentenced to life in prison.
He was 71 when he was released.
He was 75 when he received the Nobel Peace Prize.
He was 76 when he became South Africa’s first black democratically elected President.
He was 77 when he established the Nelson Mandela Childrens’ Fund
He was 81 when he established the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
He was 85 when he launched his HIV/AIDS campaign with his prison number ‘46664’.

In short, NelsonMandela has spent 67 years of his life fighting for humanitarian rights including issues of race, gender, poverty, disease and lack of education.

By connecting people with ways to learn from, and act on Nelson Mandela’s values, we are asking participants to do one thing to make an imprint on the world around them. Believing in the unique ability of each of us as individuals, our hope is to inspire a global movement for positive change, step by step, hand in hand.

All we ask of any individual is the gift of 67 minutes spent in the service of their community, or of others less able or fortunate than themselves.

For More information, visit http://www.mandeladay.com.