Imprisonment
1963
October
Charged with sabotage with nine others in what becomes known as the Rivonia Trial.
1964
June 12
Sentenced to life imprisonment and sent to Robben Island to serve his sentence with seven others.
1968
His mother dies but he is not allowed to attend her funeral.
1969
His eldest son, Thembekile, is killed in a car accident and he is not allowed to attend a family member's funeral again.
1976
June 16
Soweto Uprising: Over 600 students killed in student protests.
1977
September 12
Anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko is killed while in police custody.
1980
The exiled Oliver Tambo launches an international campaign for the release of his friend Mandela.
1982
March
Sent to Pollsmoor Prison in Cape Town.
1985
February 10
Rejects South African President PW Botha’s offer to release him and other political prisoners if he renounces violence.
November 4
Undergoes surgery on his prostate gland. Visited in hospital by Justice Minister Kobie Coetsee.
1986
Sanctions against South Africa tighten, costing the government millions in revenue.
1987
October
Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher calls the ANC a terrorist organisation at the Commonwealth Summit in Vancouver.
November
A group of Afrikaner intellectuals meet ANC leaders in England.
1988
Youths burn down Mandela House in Orlando West and the community helps rebuild it.
February 24
The United Democratic Front (UDF) and 17 other organisations are banned.
June 11
The BBC televises a birthday tribute concert held at Wembley Stadium for Mandela. A smuggled message is read to 200-million viewers.
July 18
The world commemorates Mandela's 70th birthday.
August 12
Treated for tuberculosis at Tygerberg Hospital for six weeks. He is visited by Winnie Mandela and moved to a private clinic.
December 9
Moved to Victor Verster Prison where he is given a large warder's house to live in. Various restrictions are lifted and people are able to visit him.