Happy Birthday, Nelson Mandela!

Lil Kim | Alicia Keys and more come out to celebrate Nelson Mandela's birthday. See pics.

Mandela Day - Dozens of big-name performers and actors gathered at a major charity concert in New York this past weekend to mark the 91st birthday of iconic anti-apartheid leader, Nelson Mandela.

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Mandela Day - Dozens of big-name performers and actors gathered at a major charity concert in New York this past weekend to mark the 91st birthday of iconic anti-apartheid leader, Nelson Mandela.

"I Will Survive" - Gloria Gaynor kicked off the tribute with her 1978 classic, "I Will Survive."

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"I Will Survive" - Gloria Gaynor kicked off the tribute with her 1978 classic, "I Will Survive."

Queen Latifah - Queen Latifah introduced her mother and announced, “She taught me all women are queens, and should be treated as such.”

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Queen Latifah - Queen Latifah introduced her mother and announced, “She taught me all women are queens, and should be treated as such.”

MC Whoopi Goldberg - Whoopi Goldberg, acting as master of ceremonies, thanked the audience for attending such an important event. "You turned out to support the world's classiest man. Happy 91st birthday, Mr Mandela," Goldberg said.

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MC Whoopi Goldberg - Whoopi Goldberg, acting as master of ceremonies, thanked the audience for attending such an important event. "You turned out to support the world's classiest man. Happy 91st birthday, Mr Mandela," Goldberg said.

"The Queen of Soul" - The broad spectrum of stars also included queen of soul Aretha Franklin, with young American singer Josh Groban.

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"The Queen of Soul" - The broad spectrum of stars also included queen of soul Aretha Franklin, with young American singer Josh Groban.

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Alicia Keys - Alicia Keys teamed up with African artist Angelique Kidjo.

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Alicia Keys - Alicia Keys teamed up with African artist Angelique Kidjo.

Stevie Wonder - Stevie Wonder led the whole line-up in his rendition of "Happy Birthday," which he originally wrote to remember Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

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Stevie Wonder - Stevie Wonder led the whole line-up in his rendition of "Happy Birthday," which he originally wrote to remember Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

French First Lady - Carla Bruni-Sarkozy played at the weekend concert, her first public gig since becoming France's First Lady.  Last year, Bruni-Sarkozy said she wouldn't participate in any concerts while her husband was in office, but decided to take part because of the AIDS prevention work of the charities involved. It's a cause close to her heart - her brother Virginio died of the disease in 2006.

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French First Lady - Carla Bruni-Sarkozy played at the weekend concert, her first public gig since becoming France's First Lady. Last year, Bruni-Sarkozy said she wouldn't participate in any concerts while her husband was in office, but decided to take part because of the AIDS prevention work of the charities involved. It's a cause close to her heart - her brother Virginio died of the disease in 2006.

Mandela Speaks - Mandela, deemed too frail to travel to the bash, spoke via satellite to the crowd, telling them, "It is in your hands to make a better world for everyone."

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Mandela Speaks - Mandela, deemed too frail to travel to the bash, spoke via satellite to the crowd, telling them, "It is in your hands to make a better world for everyone."

South African Celebration - Mandela himself celebrated with a gathering at his home in South Africa (he is pictured here at last year's celebration).

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South African Celebration - Mandela himself celebrated with a gathering at his home in South Africa (he is pictured here at last year's celebration).

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President Obama - Speaking via video, President Obama spoke about how he had been inspired by Nelson Mandela and how it was time for people to take up the challenges the world still faces.  "This," Obama said, "is the greatest gift that we can give this great man."

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President Obama - Speaking via video, President Obama spoke about how he had been inspired by Nelson Mandela and how it was time for people to take up the challenges the world still faces. "This," Obama said, "is the greatest gift that we can give this great man."

Morgan Freeman - Actor Morgan Freeman spoke about Mandela's life in prison, and how Mandela had not sought revenge for his incarceration.  "I honor to honor Mandela Day every year," said Freeman, "and I hope you will, too."

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Morgan Freeman - Actor Morgan Freeman spoke about Mandela's life in prison, and how Mandela had not sought revenge for his incarceration. "I honor to honor Mandela Day every year," said Freeman, "and I hope you will, too."

46664 - The concert benefitted Mandela’s AIDS charity 46664 — named after his prisoner number on Robben Island. Mr Mandela’s brother died of AIDS.

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46664 - The concert benefitted Mandela’s AIDS charity 46664 — named after his prisoner number on Robben Island. Mr Mandela’s brother died of AIDS.