February 11, 1990: After 27 years in prison, Nelson Mandela is finally released from incarceration. Arrested in 1962 and convicted in 1964 of conspiring to overthrow the South African government, Mandela's release signaled the beginnings of negotiations that would ultimately lead to the end of apartheid. The decision was an act of political courage by the recently elected President F.W. de Klerk who quickly adopted measures to change the country's legislation and finally bring democracy to the nation.
