Nelson Mandela International Day is an annual international day in honour of Nelson Mandela, celebrated each year on 18 July, Mandela's birthday. The day was officially declared by the United Nations in November 2009, with the first UN Mandela Day held on 18 July 2010.

He was a political leader and philanthropist who served as the President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. He was an anti-Apartheid activist, who worked to dismantle the legacy of apartheid, an authoritarian political culture based on baasskap or white supremacy.
He is also considered by many to be the father of South Africa, and he is remembered on July 18 of every year .

“Live life as though nobody is watching, and express yourself as though everyone is listening.”
—Nelson Mandela