All month long, The Huffington Post Black Voices has brought you photos that celebrate black history worldwide. We aimed to honor Black History Month by sharing the images that serve as snapshots of the struggle and triumph within our community.
From the Montgomery Bus Boycott to Brown v. The Board of Education, from Civil Rights legends sharing the same space to legendary Olympic feats, and from iconic sports achievements to barriers broken in entertainment; these photos are just slight evidence of our contribution to history as a whole. They have brought tears to our eyes, instilled pride in our hearts and motivated us to carry on the legacy of strength and perseverance. We sincerely hope you have enjoyed these Black History series as much as we have.
Today's final photo was taken on February 11, 1990, showing anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela upon his release from prison after 27 years. That day, Mandela addressed over 50,000 people who assembled to acknowledge the historic moment, urging supporters to continue to fight for their civil rights.
"Now is the time to intensify the struggle on all fronts," he said. "To relax now would be a mistake which future generations would not forgive."
Three years later, Mandela was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in leading a nonviolent movement to end apartheid in South Africa.
African American involvement in the anti-apartheid movement began long before the country's lawmakers joined the fight. When the Congressional Black Caucus was established in 1971, apartheid was a major topic and concern, and activism against the policy was widespread from pop culture to politics.
Mandela's noted the day of his release hold a significant meaning to this day. His encouragement to keep fighting is a message that resonates not only during Black History Month, but every day of the year.
Take a look at the photo and all of the photos from the month and share your thoughts in the comments section below.
Before You Go
