Nelson Mandela, the leader of the campaign to end South African apartheid, is released from prison by South African President F.W. De Klerk after 27 years behind bars. February 11, 1990.

Image: Nelson Mandela walks to freedom. February 11, 1990.

On this day in history, Nelson Mandela, the leader of the campaign to end South African apartheid, is released from prison by South African President F.W. De Klerk after 27 years behind bars. His very dramatic walk from the gates of the Victor Verster Prison in Cape Town, hand in hand with his wi…