March 29, 1961 - Mandela and all co-defendants are found not
guilty of treason. June 1961 - Mandela begins organizing the
armed struggle against apartheid Umkhonto we Sizwe (Spear of the
Nations). He travels in Africa and Europe studying guerrilla
warfare. August 5, 1962 - Is arrested on charges of inciting
workers to strike and leaving the country without valid travel
documents. Mandela represents himself at trial. November 7, 1962
- Is sentenced to prison, five years hard labor. June 12, 1964 -
Is sentenced to life in prison for four counts of sabotage.
Convicted and sentenced with Mandela are Walter Sisulu, Ahmed
Kathrada, Govan Mbeki, Denis Goldberg and others. 1980 - The
Johannesburg Sunday Post leads a campaign to free Mandela. A
petition demanding his and other ANC prisoners' release is
printed in the newspaper. 1982- Is transferred to Pollsmoor
Maximum Security Prison after 18 years on Robben Island. 1988 -
Is transferred to Victor Verster Prison. July 5, 1989 - Meets
with President P.W. Botha. August