On 10 November 2009, the UN General Assembly unanimously adopted resolution 64/13 designating 18 July, Nelson Mandela's birthday, as an international day in his honor, with official observance beginning in 2010. The day celebrates the legacy of Mandela, who spent 27 years in prison fighting apartheid before becoming South Africa's first democratically elected Black president and a global symbol of reconciliation, equality, and human rights. The day is built around a simple idea: devote 67 minutes of your time to serving your community, symbolizing the 67 years Mandela dedicated to the causes of justice and freedom. Millions of people around the world take part through volunteer activities — from neighborhood clean-ups to supporting schools and helping those in need — embodying his famous call that it is in your hands to make a difference in others' lives.