Today is the birthday of Nelson Mandela, South African political leader and first president of South Africa. 

He was born the son of an African chief in 1918, though he did not live like a prince. As a young boy he played out in fields and herded cattle. It wasn’t until he was seven that he attended school – and only because it was a Christian school and his mother was a devote Christian. At his first school he acquired the name “Nelson,” bestowed upon him by a teacher. 

As he continued his education, he began to be exposed to the imperialist dynamic in South Africa. On one hand certainly imperialism was a disruption of natives’ way of life, however Mandela also saw the opportunities it brought, namely educational institutions. 

As the ruling power in South Africa began to tighten its grip and spiral into deep racism, Mandela and a group of like-minded peers, set to work on a plan to take a stand against the government. 

Before he was able to do too much though, Mandela and his political party allies were arrested, tried and unjustly thrown in jail for a life. Mandela did not let confinement stop him – he took it in stride. The inmates of Mandela’s political prison, continued to educate themselves during their time, forming the “University of Robben Island.” Each member took turns lecturing on their area of expertise and the group debated topical socio-political issues. 

In 1961, after 18 years in prison, a judge overturned the conviction and Mandela and his peers were released from jail. Outside, tension had escalated and Mandela had to go ‘underground’ as he organized a movement to change the state.

Mandela would struggle in the fight to realize a democratic South Africa for decades. His perseverance was finally rewarded with a Democratic nation in the 1990s, and furthermore he was elected the first president of the new government in 1994 at the age of 76. 

On a related note it is also International Nelson Mandela Day. The day aims “to bring together people around the world to fight poverty and promote peace, reconciliation and cultural diversity.”

And today is the birthday of Shirley Strickland, Australian athlete and Olympic medalist.

Shirley’s father before her was physically gifted, and qualified for the Olympic Games in 1900, but did not have enough money to buy a plane ticket to get to Paris. Shirley was born in 1925, and from an early age showed signs of athletic prowess. As a freshman in high school, she won a series of athletic events, earning a scholarship. 

After graduating college in 1946, she started to seriously consider running. She had a reputation as a standout hurdler and sprinter in college and finding a coach was no trouble. She competed in the Australian national competitions in 1947 and crushed it. She went on to win three Olympic Gold Medals, one Silver, and three Bronze, making her the most medaled Australian runner. 

Later in life she dipped her toes into politics while raising her four children with her husband.

 

Edna St. Vincent Millay 

 

I know I am but summer to your heart,

And not the full four seasons of the year;

And you must welcome from another part

Such noble moods as are not mine, my dear.

No gracious weight of golden fruits to sell

Have I, nor any wise and wintry thing;

And I have loved you all too long and well

To carry still the high sweet breast of Spring.

Wherefore I say: O love, as summer goes,

I must be gone, steal forth with silent drums, 

That you may hail anew the bird and rose

When I come back to you, as summer comes.

Else will you seek, at some not distant time, 

Even your summer in another clime.