This post is part of our Silence the Violence series in commemoration of National Silence the Violence Day on July 24th, 2010.

Nelson Mandela celebrated his 92nd birthday this past Sunday (July 18th), an occasion that is cause for the world to celebrate. Nelson Mandela was jailed for 27 years on Robben Island, and when he became President his main goal was reconciliation, not revenge. Mandela's selfless brand of leadership shocked the world and won our highest accolades.

"The value of our shared reward will and must be measured by the joyful peace which will triumph, because the common humanity that bonds both black and white into one human race, will have said to each one of us that we shall all live like the children of paradise. Thus shall we live, because we will have created a society which recognizes that all people are born equal, with each entitled in equal measure to life, liberty, prosperity, human rights and good governance. Such a society should never allow again that there should be prisoners of conscience nor that any person's human rights should be violated." -Nelson Mandela

The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights wishes the great Nelson Mandela and his family a very Happy Birthday.