“Mandela Released from Prison” and “Tyson vs. Douglas,” - This Day in History – Feb 11th

Nelson Mandela released from prison after 27 years

Back in 1990, Nelson Mandela the leader and lawyer of the African National Congress (ANC)’s movement to end apartheid was released from Robben Island Prison after 27 years.

History.com acknowledged that,” In 1961, he was arrested for treason, and although acquitted he was arrested again in 1962 for illegally leaving the country. Convicted and sentenced to five years at Robben Island Prison, he was put on trial again in 1964 on charges of sabotage. In June 1964, he was convicted along with several other ANC leaders and sentenced to life in prison.” 

Mr. Mandela was given harsh prison restrictions such as being forced to perform hard labor, being confined to a small cell without bedding or plumbing and receiving one visitor a year for 30 minutes.  However, these conditions left Mr. Mandela unbroken. 

History.com stated that, “Mandela subsequently led the ANC in its negotiations with the minority government for an end to apartheid and the establishment of a multiracial government. In 1993, Mandela and de Klerk were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. One year later, the ANC won an electoral majority in the country's first free elections, and Mandela was elected South Africa's president.”

Mike Tyson loses to Buster Douglas in Toyko

Back in 1990, the unexpected happened to heavyweight boxer champ Mike Tyson vs. Buster Douglas – he lost.  After 10 rounds of boxing in Tokyo, Japan ESPN stated that, “With his left eye closed and swollen from Douglas' last series of shots, Tyson emerges from his corner for the 10th round. Douglas unleashes another assault, sending Tyson to the mat, dazed, at 1:23 of the round. A lonely, pathetic, demoralized figure of doom, Tyson fumbles for his mouthpiece, finds it and shoves it back into his mouth, backwards and upside down.” 

Mr. Douglas reign as a heavyweight champion was changed when he lost to Evander Holyfield eight months later.  Histroy.com stated that, “Douglas lost the fight in three rounds and afterward announced his retirement from boxing, although he staged a brief comeback in the late 1990s.”

Mr. Tyson would also face Evander Holyfield in 1992 and would lose to him as well.  After a historic rematch with Holyfield, Mr. Tyson would bite and rip a piece of Holyfield’s ear and would be temporary banned from boxing in 1997. 

History.com commented that, “ In 2002, after instigating a pre-fight brawl with Lenox Lewis, Tyson’s Nevada boxing license was revoked. The match was moved to Memphis, where Tyson lost the fight. In 2003, despite having earned hundreds of millions of dollars, he declared bankruptcy and in 2006, he was arrested on drug charges.”

All History facts provided from the link below:

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/russias-general-kaledin-commits-suicide?catId=16