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Happy Birthday, Nelson Mandela! - On Monday, July 18, South African icon Nelson Mandela celebrates his 93rd birthday! On Thursday the frail former leader returned to his childhood village of Qunu. He is expected to spend his special day with family. July 18 is recognized across the world as Mandela Day. On this day the United Nations calls for everyone to volunteer for a good cause for 67 minutes (the number 67 represents each of Mandela’s politically active years). Take a look at photos from past birthday celebrations in the following pages.In this image, Mandela spends time with family members in Qunu. (Photo: AP Photo/Peter Morey Photographic-HO)

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Mvezo Celebration - Here a girl attends a celebration for Mandela's 92nd birthday last year at a museum in Mvezo, South Africa, his birthplace. He, however, could not attend this party himself as he was spending time with his family in Johannesburg.(Photo: REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko /Landov)

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Mvezo Celebration - A child at the Mvezo party holds up a South African flag.(Photo: REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko /Landov)

Photo By Photo: REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko /Landov

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Mandela's Grandson at Mvezo - Also during the Mvezo celebration, Chief Mandla Mandela looks on in front of a poster of his grandfather, Nelson Mandela.(Photo: REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko /Landov)

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Soccer Fan Gives Birthday Wishes - During a 2009 soccer game, a fan holds up a sign wishing Mandela a happy birthday during the Vodacom Challenge soccer match between Manchester City and Orlando Pirates at Peter Mokaba stadium in Polokwane. He celebrated his 91st that year.\r(Photo: REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko /Landov)

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Mandela Tattoo - During 2009 celebrations of Mandela's 91st in Cape Town, a child looks at a man with a tattoo of the former leader.(Photo: MIKE HUTCHINGS/Reuters)

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2008 Party - Mandela's 90th birthday party featured a huge series of celebrations. There was a star-studded charity concert in London, a speech in Johannesburg by Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, and a party at his home. Here, he blows out candles on a birthday cake in Johannesburg at one of the celebrations.(Photo: REUTERS/Juda Ngwenya/ Nelson Mandela Foundation /Landov)

Photo By REUTERS/Themba Hadebe/Pool /Landov

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Ninetieth Birthday - Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf greets Mandela at his residence in Johannesburg.(Photo: Juda Ngwenya/Nelson Mandela Foundation via Getty Images)

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Citizens Celebrate His 90 Years - In 2008, South Africans gathered in Cape Town to wish Madiba—Mandela's Xhosa clan name—a happy 90th birthday.(Photo: REUTERS/Mike Hutchings /Landov)

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Blowing Candles - Mandela blows out the candles on his 90th birthday during a celebration at the Loftus stadium in Pretoria. The party was thrown by Mandela's political party, the African National Congress.\r(Photo: REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko /Landov)

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Celebration in Mexico City - A South African music group performs in Mexico City to celebrate the 90th birthday of Mandela in 2008.\r(Photo: Xinhua /Landov)

Photo By Photo: Xinhua /Landov