mda01. Mandela’s 60th birthday

The international campaign that led to the release of Nelson Mandela in 1990 began on his 60th birthday in 1978. British Prime Minister James Callaghan sent birthday greetings from the House of Commons and at a meeting held on 18 July Mary Benson recalled Mandela’s visit to London 16 years before. Politicians and trade union leaders signed a birthday card which they attempted to deliver to the South African Embassy. Ffity thousand copies of this leaflet were distributed by the AAM.