Queen Elizabeth II is the longest-reigning monarch in British history and has held the throne since February 6, 1952. She is the queen of sixteen independent countries and head of the Commonwealth of Nations, with a realm that covers more than one-fourth of the world's population.Elizabeth was born on April 21, 1926, in London, England, to the future King George VI and his Duchess of York. At the time of her birth, she was not expected to inherit the throne and her father was the second son of George V. She was baptized in the Chapel Royal at St. James’s Palace in London and was educated privately at home.
When Elizabeth was only 10 years old, her grandfather died and her father became King George VI. This meant that Elizabeth was the next in line for the throne and she began her formal education in the royal family. Her first public appearance, at the age of 13, was in May 1939 when she and her family toured the Royal Navy College at Dartmouth.
On February 6, 1952, King George VI passed away and Elizabeth ascended to the throne as Queen Elizabeth II. Her coronation was held on June 2, 1953, at Westminster Abbey. In the years since she has undertaken numerous official engagements and visits around the world, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and India.
Elizabeth is a patron of more than 600 organizations and charities, including the British Red Cross and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. She has also been an advocate for education and has visited numerous universities in the United Kingdom.
Elizabeth has been married to her husband, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, since 1947 and is mother to four children, Charles, Anne, Andrew, and Edward. She is also grandmother to eight grandchildren.
Queen Elizabeth II has served as an important leader for her citizens and for the Commonwealth for over 68 years. Her reign has seen numerous world events, including the end of the Cold War, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the establishment of the European Union. She has been a symbol of continuity and stability throughout her long reign.
Nelson Mandela was a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary and statesman who served as the country's first black president from 1994 to 1999. Born to a Thembu royal family in 1918, Mandela was educated at the University of Fort Hare and the University of Witwatersrand, where he studied law. He joined the African National Congress in 1944, and was elected president of the ANC's Transvaal branch in 1952. By the early 1960s, his activism had earned him a life sentence in prison, where he remained until his release in 1990.Upon his release, Mandela immediately began working to dismantle the system of racial segregation, known as apartheid, and usher in a new era of democracy for South Africa. He negotiated with the ruling white minority to establish a new constitution and was elected president in 1994.
During his five-year presidency, Mandela worked to improve race relations and to promote economic and social reform. He encouraged the end of sanctions against South Africa and sought to create a new multi-racial society. He also worked to improve access to education and health care, and to combat poverty and crime.
Mandela's influence extended beyond South Africa's borders, as he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 and was given the title of The International Symbol of Freedom by the United Nations in 1997. He was also recognized around the world for his tireless advocacy for peace and justice.
Mandela continued to fight for equality and justice until his death in 2013. His legacy lives on in his dedication to human rights and social justice, and his tireless efforts to improve the lives of all South Africans. His example of strength and determination in the face of adversity continues to inspire people around the world to stand up for what they believe in and to strive for a better future.
