The United Nations General Assembly declared July 18 to be Nelson Mandela International Day in 2009. The late president of South Africa and anti-Apartheid activist, who died in 2013, was born on that day.
"Mandela Day" is described as "more than a celebration of Madiba’s life and legacy. It is a global movement to honour his life’s work and act to change the world for the better."
The day also aims to promote acts of kindness that invoke Mandela's spirit. Social media users are encouraged to use the hashtags #MandelaDay and #Time2Serve to pay tribute to the leader, and to share stories of others who are making a positive change in their community, respectively.
Here's what the Twitterverse had to say about #MandelaDay, which trended Saturday on the social network.
Happiest Mandela Day! #MandelaDay pic.twitter.com/Btq78qUjbI— Boitumelo Thulo (@Boity) July 18, 2015
How much better our world would be if there were more Madibas. #MandelaDay pic.twitter.com/3kLxFmRJSs— Kofi Annan (@KofiAnnan) July 18, 2015
Happy #MandelaDay! Virtual Ambassador @ElyxYak is taking action & inspiring change http://t.co/2h6GL7F79Cpic.twitter.com/aLDNHb4eIc #Time2Serve— United Nations (@UN) July 18, 2015
Nelson Mandela's legacy of service is a gift to mankind and a guiding light for future generations. #MandelaDay pic.twitter.com/0sZLwtmBJT— John Lewis (@repjohnlewis) July 18, 2015
Heroes get remembered, but legends never die. Happy birthday Madiba http://t.co/baPmQsPlYD #MandelaDay pic.twitter.com/HmN1M84CUR— Richard Branson (@richardbranson) July 18, 2015
A winner is a dreamer who never gives up. #MandelaDay— Rachel Platten (@RachelPlatten) July 18, 2015
"For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others" #MandelaDay— Kirstine Stewart (@kirstinestewart) July 18, 2015
"Sometimes it falls to a generation to be great. You can be that #greatgeneration" #MandelaDay pic.twitter.com/gWqGzJhgxt— CAFOD (@CAFOD) July 18, 2015
"Education is the most powerful weapon one can use to change the world." Everyday should be #MandelaDay. pic.twitter.com/UXMmDlNn8A— Eric Alper (@ThatEricAlper) July 18, 2015
'It is easy to break down & destroy. The heroes are those who make peace & build' #MandelaDay Remembering a great man pic.twitter.com/yZypHMAw6I— Kristalina Georgieva (@KGeorgievaEU) July 18, 2015
What do you do to make a difference? #MandelaDay pic.twitter.com/Q1cKbGDm61— Sarah Brown (@SarahBrownUK) July 18, 2015
Thank U Sir for showing us a path back to where we discovered our true dignity&common sense yet again #MandelaDay pic.twitter.com/aoCc5fzW3s— Michael Harney (@MichaelHarney4) July 18, 2015