Nelson Mandela became first black president of South Africa

On May 10, 1994, Nelson Mandela was inaugurated as the first black President of South Africa. Before becoming President, Mandela was an anti-Apartheid leader in segregated South Africa. He served twenty-seven years in prison before his release in 1990, after which he was elected president of the country. Mandela was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.

Read a biography of Nelson Mandela from the Nobel Foundation.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Justice Kennedy born

On July 23, 1936, US Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy was born in Sacramento, California. Learn more about Justice Kennedy's rise to the Supreme Court.

Province of Canada created

On July 23, 1840, the Act of Union was passed, creating the British province of Canada. The Act took effect on February 10, 1841.