Protesting for his beliefs, the law student from Umtata, South Africa, Nelson Mandela was sentenced to life in prison. The black man, who joined the ANC (a government party believing in equality) in 1944, called for racial unity and open resistance to the government. Unfortunately, in 1948, South Africa established a policy of segregation.
Convicted in 1956 of treason and other crimes, Mandela was found not guilty. The ANC was outlawed in 1960, but that did not stop Mandela's protests. He went into hiding, but was caught in 1962. At that time, he was convicted of sabotage and conspiracy-leading to a lifetime in prison sentence.
While in prison, growing anti-segregation forces argued for Mandela's freedom. In 1990, Mandela was freed shortly after the ANC was recognized by the South African government. In 1994, Mandela became president of the country which had imprisoned him.
