Nelson Mandela Birthday: World Celebrates As Former South African President Turns 93

Happy birthday, Nelson Mandela!

The former President of South Africa and renowned activist is celebrating his 93rd birthday today, and while he has mostly retired from public life, his legacy and wisdom unquestionably continue to influence our world today.

Since 2009, Mandela's birthday has been celebrated as an international day of public good and service, so it should come as no surprise that those who consider him an inspiration are honoring his life in special ways.

With that in mind, here are a few interesting celebrations and birthday wishes from across the globe.

The Official Mandela Day Birthday Wish

In honor of Mandela's 67 years of public service, the Nelson Mandela Day website is highlighting its list of 67 ways to "change the world." Suggestions range from making a new friend and donating medical supplies, to taking the time to "learn the story of someone older than you" and volunteering at a soup kitchen.

Read the full list here.

President Obama's Birthday Message
In his birthday wishes to Mandela, President Obama praised him as a “a beacon for the global community, and for all who work for democracy, justice and reconciliation.”

Motorcycles for Mandela?
CNN has this fascinating report about a group of bikers celebrating Madela's birthday and legacy with a cross country road trip including stops for charity along the way.

Students from the Lukhanyo Primary School in Hermanus serenade Mandela with a birthday song.

And of course, a few high profile birthday tweets:

Monday is Nelson Mandela Intl Day honouring his contribution to culture of peace & freedom. http://bit.ly/l8Ry2H #MandelaDay #67minutesless than a minute ago via Tweet Spinner Favorite Retweet ReplyUnited Nations
UN

President Zuma's message to Former President Nelson Mandela on the occasion of his 93rd Birthday http://t.co/Cs99apOless than a minute ago via web Favorite Retweet ReplyPresidencyZA
PresidencyZA

Comments

[rvheaney]

03:04 PM on 07/19/2011

So what how cares ? ?

[Dr EB]

01:05 PM on 07/19/2011

Mr. Mandela, I hope you had the happiest of birthdays and wish you many more. Thank you for your service. You have been an inspiration to many across the world.

[NotMyTube]

11:09 AM on 07/19/2011

Living proof that you don't have to be a reverend as black to rise to power.

[Jenkem Jones]

10:23 AM on 07/19/2011

Nelson Mandela is a murdering racist monster. The thought of honoring this beast makes my skin crawl. Countless lives would have been saved if he and other murderers were put to death. I know this comment will not be posted because the Huffington Post is run by anti human racists.

[jj mclcure]

09:37 AM on 07/19/2011

Another scam artist.

[Bettaman]

09:31 AM on 07/19/2011

Happy Birthday President Mandela and thank you for your lifetime of working for the betterment of all mankind. You are truly a great man.

[mbrahms26]

09:06 AM on 07/19/2011

Mandela is an atheist and a marxist. No wonder our godless, America hating media celebrates his birthday! Apartheid was wrong, but at least South Africa was run by Christians!

[Bettaman]

09:34 AM on 07/19/2011

You're an embarassment to humanity and to your religion.

[Dan Bates]

06:49 AM on 07/19/2011

Sounds like a "socialsit" to me....just saying...

[LogicalMathMan]

01:24 PM on 07/19/2011

Huh? Did you just feel like throwing out that word today?

[Dwight Alexander]

12:06 AM on 07/19/2011

"Nelson Mandela Birthday: World Celebrates As Former South African President Turns 93"...great job Nelson...S Africa is the most crime ridden country in the world... someone hurry up and give him another peace prize before he dies,,,,,

[eskieme1970]

11:46 PM on 07/18/2011

No one ever seems to mention anything about Winnie- a woman who worked tirelessly to get her husband freed. He divorced her and she now sits in jail on some bogus charge, and he hasn't given her even the tiniest support.

[msm0207]

12:18 AM on 07/19/2011

There were an awful lot of charges etc against Winnie. Do not believe they were alll bogus. She took advantage of his name and reputation for her own ends. I also do not believe the whole world is celebrating. Why? SA isn't in very good shape with the changes since he got out. His wisdom and continuing influence? Not much to brag about in today's Africa.

[oandroplex700]

08:01 AM on 07/19/2011

AND HE'S SUPPOSE TO BE A HERO??

[gibranII]

10:28 PM on 07/18/2011

Happy Birthday.. I wish you happiness and I thank you so very much for what you have given humanity... if you lived one thousand years it would be too short.

[LogicalMathMan]

01:21 PM on 07/19/2011

I agree. Even achieving a tenth of what Mr. Mandela has would be gratifying.

[kgigs59]

08:29 PM on 07/18/2011

Happy Birthday, Mr. Mandela. God bless you.

[Uranna Latrice]

07:04 PM on 07/18/2011

IF A MAN CAN REACH THE LATTER DAYS OF HIS LIFE WITH HIS SOUL INTACT,HE HAS MASTERED LIFE. by gordon parks

[MoralHeroes]

06:59 PM on 07/18/2011

Wow 93 years old and still making this world a better place!

Mandela has shown us that it is continuously sacrificing that makes us heroic. I hope we all continue to be inspired by his efforts and use our years to make this a greater world!

Learn more about Mandela here: http://moralheroes.org/nelson-mandela

[Dwight Alexander]

12:07 AM on 07/19/2011

you are joking....?

[Gigantorman]

12:34 AM on 07/19/2011

No, I think they're serious. I really must brush up on my Nelson Mandella history.

[scorpian777]

05:54 PM on 07/18/2011

Happy Birthday Mr. Mandela & many , many more