BLACK HISTORY MOMENT: NELSON MANDELA IS RELEASED FROM PRISON (FEBRUARY 11, 1990)

Nelson Mandela walked out of the Victor Verster prison at 4.14pm on February 11, 1990, after spending 27 years in detention under the apartheid regime in South Africa.

Accompanied by his then wife Winnie, Mr. Mandela waved to crowds and smiled broadly as he shook the hand of supporters before climbing into a silver saloon car to complete the 40-mile journey to Cape Town. Heaving masses of people surrounded the car, waving African National Congress (ANC) flags as they cheered Mr. Mandela. Outside the City Hall in the South African capital, the man fondly known as 'Madiba' by his compatriots addressed a huge crowd.

"I greet you all in the name of peace, democracy and freedom for all. I stand here before you not as a prophet but as a humble servant of you the people," he said.