Photos: South Africa Celebrates Nelson Mandela’s 95th Birthday
July 18, 2013
An electronic billboard announces Nelson Mandela's 95th birthday in New York's Times Square, Thursday, July 18, 2013. South Africa celebrated Nelson Mandela's 95th birthday on Thursday, a milestone capped by news that the former president's health was improving after fears that he was close to death during ongoing hospital treatment. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan) ( South Africa Mandela )
Children hold placards as they gather to wish to former President Nelson Mandela happy birthday at a township school in Atteridgeville near Pretoria, July 18, 2013. Anti-apartheid hero Mandela is "steadily improving", South Africa's government said on Thursday as the former president celebrated his 95th birthday in hospital amid tributes from around the country and the world. REUTERS/Mike Hutchings ( MANDELA/ )
The peloton waits behind a large picture commemorating the birthday of former South African President Nelson Mandela before stage eighteen of the 2013 Tour de France, a 172.5KM road stage from Gap to l'Alpe d'Huez, on July 18, 2013 in Gap, France. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) ( 173811235 )
Children from a Johannesburg creche sit before a chalk board with a message wishing former President Nelson Mandela a happy birthday July 18, 2013. The ailing Mandela turns 95 today. REUTERS/Mujahid Safodien ( SAFRICA-MANDELA )
People celebrate the birthday of former South African President Nelson Mandela on July 18, 2013 outside the Medi Clinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria. Mandela's health is "steadily improving", South Africa's presidency said on July 18 as the anti-apartheid legend began spending his 95th birthday in hospital. Children in schools around the country kicked off the celebrations by singing "Happy Birthday" to Mandela, on a day that also marked the 15th anniversary of his marriage to third wife Graca Machel.The United Nations declared the Nobel Peace laureate's birthday Mandela Day in 2010, but for many this year it takes on extra poignancy. STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN/AFP/Getty Images ( 521434719 )
Messages left by supporters are seen on poster depicting former South African President Nelson Mandela set outside his Soweto home, outside of Johannesburg, South Africa, Thursday July 18, 2013. South Africa celebrated Nelson Mandela's 95th birthday with acts of charity on Thursday, a milestone capped by news that the former president's health was improving after fears that he was close to death during ongoing hospital treatment. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay) ( South Africa Mandela )
Unidentified guests and hospital workers prepare to cut a large birthday cake for Nelson Mandela inside the gates of the Mediclinic Heart Hospital where former South African President Nelson Mandela is being treated in Pretoria, South Africa Thursday, July 18, 2013. South Africa celebrated Nelson Mandela's 95th birthday on Thursday, a milestone capped by news that the former president's health was improving after fears that he was close to death during ongoing hospital treatment. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis) ( South Africa Mandela )
Well-wishers sing and dance to celebrate the 95th birthday of their 'Father of the Nation' Nelson Mandela outside the Mediclinic Heart Hospital where he is being treated on July 18, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa. The South African presidency has said that Mandela's health is 'steadily improving', as the anti-apartheid icon spends his 95th birthday in hospital. Children in schools across the country have started off Mandela Day by singing 'Happy Birthday' to him. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) ( 173855533 )
View dated on July 18, 2013 shows a specimen of former South African President Nelson Mandela's Smart ID Card that will be issued to at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Mandela Day. The official launch of the Smart ID Card by the South African government will take the form of a symbolic handing over of the Smart ID Card to Nelson Mandela, which will be received on his behalf by his daughter Zindzi Mandela. Preparations for the launch of the Smart ID card, which also coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Rivonia Trial, will witness the handing over of the first batch of Smart ID Cards to senior leaders in and outside government as well as senior citizens of ages ranging between 80-90 years. The launch of the Smart ID Card is part of efforts by the government to consolidate the restoration of national identity, citizenship and dignity that was denied to the majority of South Africans by successive racist regimes. AFP PHOTO / STRINGERSTRINGER/AFP/Getty Images ( 521431562 )
A Kenyan pupil prays for former South African president Nelson Mandela during celebrations to mark Nelson Mandela International Day at Kilimani Primary School in Kenya's capital Nairobi, July 18, 2013. The ailing Mandela turns 95 today. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya ( SAFRICA-MANDELA/ )
School children hold a banner with messages for the birthday of former South African President Nelson Mandela holding a banner on July 18, 2013 outside the Medi Clinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria. Nelson Mandela spent his 95th birthday in hospital Thursday but his health was "steadily improving", South Africa's presidency said, as people around the world honoured his legacy with charitable acts. STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN/AFP/Getty Images ( 521435067 )
A birthday card made by learners from the Melpark Primary School in Johannesburg adorns a wall as learners celebrate former president Nelson Mandela's 95th birthday during their school assembly Thursday, July 18, 2013. The presidency has issued a statement that Mandela's condition is steadily improving after fears that he was close to death during ongoing hospital treatment. (AP Photo/Denis Farrell) ( South Africa Mandela )
People gather to celebrate the birthday of former South African President Nelson Mandela on July 18, 2013 outside the Medi Clinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria. Mandela's health is "steadily improving", South Africa's presidency said on July 18 as the anti-apartheid legend began spending his 95th birthday in hospital. Children in schools around the country kicked off the celebrations by singing "Happy Birthday" to Mandela, on a day that also marked the 15th anniversary of his marriage to third wife Graca Machel.The United Nations declared the Nobel Peace laureate's birthday Mandela Day in 2010, but for many this year it takes on extra poignancy. STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN/AFP/Getty Images ( 521434197 )
An man walks past a banner with the name of former South African President Nelson Mandela in Matosinhos City Hall, Matosinhos, Portugal Thursday, July 18, 2013. South Africa celebrated Nelson Mandela's 95th birthday on Thursday, a milestone capped by news that the former president's health was improving after fears that he was close to death during ongoing hospital treatment. (AP Photo/Paulo Duarte) ( Portugal South Africa Mandela )
A portrait, center rear, representing former South African President Nelson Mandela is displayed on the windows of a building as lights inside the building reflect in downtown Cape Town, South Africa, Thursday, July 18, 2013. South Africa celebrated Nelson Mandela's 95th birthday on Thursday, a milestone capped by news that the former president's health was improving after fears that he was close to death during ongoing hospital treatment. (AP Photo/Schalk van Zuydam) ( South Africa Mandela )
A well-wisher looks at a banner of different photos of Nelson Mandela, outside the Mediclinic Heart Hospital where former South African President Nelson Mandela is being treated in Pretoria, South Africa Thursday, July 18, 2013. South Africa celebrated Nelson Mandela's 95th birthday with acts of charity on Thursday, a milestone capped by news that the former president's health was improving after fears that he was close to death during ongoing hospital treatment. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis) ( South Africa Mandela )
A group of kindergarten children sing Happy Birthday to Nelson Mandela outside the Mediclinic Heart Hospital where former South African President Nelson Mandela is being treated in Pretoria, South Africa Thursday, July 18, 2013. South Africa celebrated Nelson Mandela's 95th birthday on Thursday, a milestone capped by news that the former president's health was improving after fears that he was close to death during ongoing hospital treatment. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis) ( South Africa Mandela )
A portrait representing former South African President Nelson Mandela is displayed on the windows of a building as lights inside the building reflect in downtown Cape Town, South Africa, Thursday, July 18, 2013. South Africa celebrated Nelson Mandela's 95th birthday on Thursday, a milestone capped by news that the former president's health was improving after fears that he was close to death during ongoing hospital treatment. (AP Photo/Schalk van Zuydam) ( South Africa Mandela )
Members of the South African Army parade to wish a happy birthday to former South African President Nelson Mandela on July 18, 2013 outside the Medi Clinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria. Mandela's health is "steadily improving", South Africa's presidency said on July 18 as the anti-apartheid legend began spending his 95th birthday in hospital. Children in schools around the country kicked off the celebrations by singing "Happy Birthday" to Mandela, on a day that also marked the 15th anniversary of his marriage to third wife Graca Machel.The United Nations declared the Nobel Peace laureate's birthday Mandela Day in 2010, but for many this year it takes on extra poignancy. STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN/AFP/Getty Images ( 521433368 )
Schoolchildren sing to wish an happy birthday to former South African President Nelson Mandela on July 18, 2013 outside the Medi Clinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria. Mandela's health is "steadily improving", South Africa's presidency said on July 18 as the anti-apartheid legend began spending his 95th birthday in hospital. Children in schools around the country kicked off the celebrations by singing "Happy Birthday" to Mandela, on a day that also marked the 15th anniversary of his marriage to third wife Graca Machel.The United Nations declared the Nobel Peace laureate's birthday Mandela Day in 2010, but for many this year it takes on extra poignancy. STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN/AFP/Getty Images ( 521433516 )
A woman sings "Happy Birthday" for former South African President Nelson Mandela on July 18, 2013 outside the Medi Clinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria. Mandela's health is "steadily improving", South Africa's presidency said on July 18 as the anti-apartheid legend began spending his 95th birthday in hospital. Children in schools around the country kicked off the celebrations by singing "Happy Birthday" to Mandela, on a day that also marked the 15th anniversary of his marriage to third wife Graca Machel.The United Nations declared the Nobel Peace laureate's birthday Mandela Day in 2010, but for many this year it takes on extra poignancy. STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN/AFP/Getty Images ( 521434089 )
People celebrate the birthday of former South African President Nelson Mandela on July 18, 2013 outside the Medi Clinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria. Mandela's health is "steadily improving", South Africa's presidency said on July 18 as the anti-apartheid legend began spending his 95th birthday in hospital. Children in schools around the country kicked off the celebrations by singing "Happy Birthday" to Mandela, on a day that also marked the 15th anniversary of his marriage to third wife Graca Machel.The United Nations declared the Nobel Peace laureate's birthday Mandela Day in 2010, but for many this year it takes on extra poignancy. STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN/AFP/Getty Images ( 521434744 )
People celebrate the birthday of former South African President Nelson Mandela on July 18, 2013 outside the Medi Clinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria. Mandela's health is "steadily improving", South Africa's presidency said on July 18 as the anti-apartheid legend began spending his 95th birthday in hospital. Children in schools around the country kicked off the celebrations by singing "Happy Birthday" to Mandela, on a day that also marked the 15th anniversary of his marriage to third wife Graca Machel.The United Nations declared the Nobel Peace laureate's birthday Mandela Day in 2010, but for many this year it takes on extra poignancy. STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN/AFP/Getty Images ( 521434824 )
A woman leaves a birthday message for former South African president Nelson Mandela outside the Medi Clinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria on July 18, 2013. Nelson Mandela spent his 95th birthday in hospital today but his health was "steadily improving", South Africa's presidency said, as people around the world honoured his legacy with charitable acts. ALEXANDER JOE/AFP/Getty Images ( 521435206 )
People hold on July 18, 2013 a poster bearing a portrait of former South African President Nelson Mandela to wish him a happy birthday outside the Medi Clinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria. Global celebrations and charity events will mark Nelson Mandela's 95th birthday on July 18 but the critically ill anti-apartheid hero himself is still confined to his Pretoria hospital bed on life-support. STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN/AFP/Getty Images ( 521435215 )
School kids from the Milton Mbekela school wave flags as they sing wishing former South African president Nelson Mandela a happy birthday on July 18, 2013 in Qunu. Nelson Mandela spent his 95th birthday in hospital today but his health was "steadily improving", South Africa's presidency said, as people around the world honoured his legacy with charitable acts. AFP PHOTO / STRINGER-/AFP/Getty Images ( 521435639 )
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