In my opinion, inspiration means being influenced by the actions of someone else, so that your own thoughts and actions change. Nelson Mandela is an inspiration to everyone. His fight for equal rights for himself and his race is truly inspiring. He has always inspired me throughout my life. The following will discuss his life events, beliefs, and why I am personally inspired by Nelson Mandela. Nelson Mandela was born in Transkei, South Africa on July 18, 1918. Nelson was the first in his family to receive a full education, this truly showed his determination. Nelson was a good student and had earned a law degree in 1942, and in 1943 he joined the African National Congress. After years of campaigning for the ANC, Nelson Mandela and several other ANC members were arrested for treason in 1956. Fortunately, after years of lengthy legal proceedings, Nelson was released in 1961. Upon Nelson's release, the The ANC was banned throughout the country. However, this did not stop him and his party from campaigning against the apartheid regime. Mandela formed Umkhonto we Sizwe, an armed resistance to fight against apartheid. Shortly after, in 1963, Mandela was arrested and convicted of treason. He was sentenced to death. Although Mandela did not know it, his imprisonment helped shed light on the apartheid regime and forced other countries to apply sanctions against South Africa for establishing the apartheid regime. On February 11, 1990, Nelson was released after enormous international pressure. This day truly signified the end of apartheid throughout South Africa. In April 1994, South Africa had its first truly democratic elections, in which the ANC won 65% of the vote. Mandela became the first president of South Africa. It was a... middle of paper... sorry.' (Nelson Mandela) Nelson had a dream: to create a beautiful South Africa, and he did it by leading by example, as any great leader does. He forgave to show all other “black” South Africans that it was right to do so. This is why Mandela inspires me the most, because he put everything he went through behind him, forgave his prosecutors, all for the good of his people. In conclusion, Nelson Mandela should be an inspiration to everyone. If everyone lived like Nelson, the world would truly be a beautiful place. If everyone, at least once in their life, gave up something for someone else, like Nelson did, the world would be a better place. Nelson, in his complete modesty, truly showed the meaning of life in the following quote: “Don't judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I have fallen and gotten back up. » (Nelson Mandela)