En los últimos días es más que probable que hayáis escuchado hablar (y mucho) de Nelson Mandela, pero ¿Quién fue? ¿Cuáles han sido las fechas que han marcado su vida?  ¿Por qué se ha convertido en una leyenda?.. para poder responder éstas y otras preguntas tenemos éste articulo del economic times donde resaltan 5 de los momentos claves de su vida

JOHANNESBURG: Nelson Mandela, the anti-apartheid leader who became South Africa's first black president, was regarded as one of the great figures of the past century for his generosity of spirit, sacrifices in the name of equality and his efforts to reconcile the races in South Africa amid the ever-present specter of conflict.

Here are a few momentous occasions in the life of Mandela, told partly through his own words:

April 20, 1964: Charged with sabotage, Mandela delivered a statement during his trial in Pretoria that revealed the depth of his resolve in the fight against apartheid and his willingness to lay down his life in an effort to end white racist rule.

``During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the African people,'' Mandela said. ``I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.''

Two months later, he and seven other defendants were sentenced to life in prison.

Feb. 11, 1990: Mandela walked out of South Africa's Victor Verster prison near Cape Town after 27 years in captivity, holding hands with his wife, Winnie. He held up his fist and smiled broadly. Mandela's release after so long was almost inconceivable for deliriously happy supporters who erupted in cheers as hundreds of journalists pressed forward. The world watched the electrifying occasion live on television. Because of Mandela's decades-long confinement, few people knew what he looked like or had seen a recent photograph. Mandela said he was astounded by the reception.

``When I was among the crowd I raised my right fist, and there was a roar. I had not been able to do that for twenty-seven years and it gave me a surge of strength and joy,'' Mandela wrote.

He also recalled: ``As I finally walked through those gates to enter a car on the other side, I felt even at the age of seventy-one that my life was beginning anew.''

May 10, 1994: Nelson Mandela became the first black president of South Africa after democratic elections, taking the oath of office at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, the South African capital. Leaders and other dignitaries from around the world attended the historic occasion, which offered many South Africans another chance to celebrate in the streets.

At the close of his inauguration speech, Mandela said:

``Never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another and suffer the indignity of being the skunk of the world,'' he said. ``Let freedom reign. The sun shall never set on so glorious a human achievement! God bless Africa! Thank you.''

June 24, 1995: Mandela strode onto the field at the Rugby World Cup final in Johannesburg, wearing South African colors and bringing the overwhelmingly white crowd of more than 60,000 to its feet. They chanted ``Nelson! Nelson! Nelson!'' as the president congratulated the victorious home team in a moment that symbolized racial reconciliation.

Mandela's decision to wear the Springbok emblem, the symbol once hated by blacks, conveyed the message that rugby, for so long shunned by the black population, was now for all South Africans.

The moment was portrayed in ``Invictus,'' a Hollywood movie directed by Clint Eastwood. The film tells the story of South Africa's transformation under Mandela's leadership through the prism of sport.

July 11, 2010: A smiling Mandela waved to the crowd at the Soccer City stadium at the closing ceremony of the World Cup, whose staging in South Africa allowed the country, and the continent, to shine on one of the world's biggest stages. Mandela appeared frail as he was driven in a golf cart alongside his wife, Graca Machel.

Mandela had kept a low profile during the month-long tournament, deciding against attending the opener June 11 after the death of his great-grand daughter in a traffic accident following a World Cup concert.

The former president did not address the crowd on that emotional day in the stadium. It was his last public appearance

Fuente: The Economic Times

Intentaremos conocer a Nelson Mandela a través del amplio legado que nos ha dejado y que perdurará a través del tiempo: sus palabras. Hemos seleccionado lo que para nosotros son 10 de las más relevantes frases que ha dicho a lo largo de su vida,

1. “It always seems impossible until it’s done.”
2. “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”
3. “I have walked that long road to freedom. I have tried not to falter; I have made missteps along the way. But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. I have taken a moment here to rest, to steal a view of the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I have come. But I can only rest for a moment, for with freedom come responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not ended.”
4. “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
5. “No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”
6. “Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies.”
7. “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.”
8. “I am fundamentally an optimist. Whether that comes from nature or nurture, I cannot say. Part of being optimistic is keeping one's head pointed toward the sun, one's feet moving forward. There were many dark moments when my faith in humanity was sorely tested, but I would not and could not give myself up to despair. That way lays defeat and death.”
9. “If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner.” 
10. “Death is something inevitable. When a man has done what he considers to be his duty to his people and his country, he can rest in peace. I believe I have made that effort and that is, therefore, why I will sleep for the eternity.”

El pasado día 28 de Noviembre fue acción de gracias o Thanksgiving day, nos surgen muchas preguntas al respecto, como ¿qué se celebra? ¿por qué se celebra?...para dar respuesta a algunas de éstas preguntas y algunas más, os pasamos un artículo donde hacen una breve descripción de algunas de sus principales características, ¡esperamos que lo disfrutéis!

1.Thanksgiving day tradicion

Thanksgiving Day is a communal celebration marked as a sense of gratitude people feel for all the good things in life. This is done by offering prayers, gifting your near and dear ones. The fourth Thursday in the month of November is marked for the yearly celebration. The tradition of Thanksgiving continues till date in the form of

2.Family: Reunion and Feasting

 Family feast is an important tradition during Thanksgiving. The entire family sits at the table during dinner and offer prayer to the Lord Almighty for his continuous grace. It is also a time for relatives living in different places to come together and celebrate.

3.Meals: Tradition of Turkey

 The traditional stuffed turkey adorns every dinner table during the feast. Pumpkin pie, Cranberry sauce, Corns are some of the dishes cooked everywhere to mark the day. Though historians don't have an evidence to prove that turkey was eaten during the first Thanksgiving dinner, but the thanksgiving celebration will be incomplete without it.

4.Parades

 The traditional Thanksgiving parade probably started with President Lincoln proclaiming it an official day. The full- dress parade is a way to display the country's military strength and discipline. The main aim of such parades is to lift the spirits of the spectators, provide them with wholesome entertainment. In the present day, parades are accompanied with musical shows and celebrities.

5.Moore traditions: Football Games

 Watching NFL football during Thanksgiving is a popular tradition. The traditional game between the Detroit Lions and the Green Bay Packers continues. One of the most memorable games having been played on this day.