Nelson Mandela born

On July 18, 1906, Nelson Mandela was born in Mvezo, South Africa. Mandela became a symbol of the anti-Apartheid movement, spending 27 years in prison for his efforts to topple the country’s segregation system. In 1990, Mandela was released from prison and Apartheid was soon dismantled. Mandela was elected the first black President of South Africa during the country’s first multi-racial elections in 1994.

Learn more about Nelson Mandela from the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

THIS DAY @ LAW

First black woman judge appointed in US

On July 22, 1939, New York City Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia appointed Jane Matilda Bolin a judge of the city's Domestic Relations Court, making her the first African-American woman appointed to judicial office in the United States. She served on the court for 40 years. Learn more about Jane Matilda Bolin.

Japan finished paying reparations to the Philippines

On July 22, 1976, Japan paid the last of its World War II reparations to the Philippines.