Nelson Mandela is a South African politician who served as the president of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, first ever to be elected in a democratic selection. Before being elected as the president he was an anti-apartheid activist. Apartheid was a practice in South Africa where people of African race were not treated as equals with the people of other races.

Nelson Mandela, the universal hero, today celebrates his 94th birthday. Former U.S. President Bill Clinton started the celebrations earlier on Tuesday. He and his daughter Chelsea met for one and a half hours with Mandela in his birth village of Qunu in South Africa.

Children will begin their school day Wednesday by singing Happy Birthday to Madiba, the clan name by which Mandela is fondly known. All South Africans followers of Mandela came up with creative ways to do 67 minutes of community service as his political carreer is that of 67 years.

Nelson Mandela is a Noble Peace Prize winner. In 2009, the UN General Assembly declared July 18 (Nelson’s birthday) as “Mandela Day” to mark his contribution to world freedom.

Happy Birthday Mr. Mandela!