February 11, 1990:  In South Africa, Nelson Mandela, at age 71, is released from prison after serving 27 years of a life sentence on charges of attempting to overthrow the apartheid government. In 1994 he was elected president in the first all-race elections.

February 11, 2011:  In Egypt, President Hosni Mubarak resigns amid a massive protest calling for his ouster. Mubarak had ruled Egypt for nearly 30 years, functioning as a virtual dictator.

Categories: Issues