Today in History is a daily newsletter from Britannica. (more) Today in History—June 12: Nelson Mandela Receives a Life Sentence Written by Teagan Wolter Teagan Wolter is Associate Editor of Anthropology at Encyclopædia Britannica. Teagan Wolter Fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Britannica Editors Last updated June 9, 2026 •History On this day in 1964, eight activist leaders were sentenced to life imprisonment for treason, sabotage, and conspiracy against South Africa’s apartheid government. Among them was Nelson Mandela, who would later become the country’s first Black president. Today in History is a daily newsletter from Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Want to learn more about what happened on June 12, or any other day of the year? Sign up to receive the newsletter in your inbox...

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