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Wednesday, Jul 18, 2012 9:45 AM UTC

Millions of S. African children sing for Mandela

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Topics: From the Wires,

Millions of S. African children sing for MandelaChildren sing happy birthday in honour of former South African President Nelson Mandela during celebrations for Mandela's birthday in Mvezo, South Africa, Wednesday, July 18, 2012. Across the country, and even abroad, people are doing good deeds to honor the country's most famous statesman on his 94th birthday today. (AP Photo/Schalk van Zuydam) (Credit: AP)

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Nearly 12 million school children across South Africa have kicked off celebrations marking the 94th birthday of Nelson Mandela, the country’s deeply loved anti-apartheid icon, with resounding choruses of Happy Birthday.

School assemblies began Wednesday with birthday wishes for Mandela who is expected to spend the day privately at his homestead in the southeastern province with his family.

Tributes to Mandela were pouring in: U.S. President Barack Obama said Mandela “has changed the arc of history, transforming his country, the continent and the world.”

Communities in South Africa and around the world will dedicate 67 minutes of the day to charity work and projects for the needy to mark Mandela’s 67 years in activism.

South African churchmen and politicians urged people across the country “to make every day a Mandela Day.”

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Gripping photos: The people of the Turkey protests (slideshow)

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  • The protests take on a festive element as police forces move out of the park and square. Wearing a gas mask, this young man dances to traditional Turkish music in front of Taksim Square’s Ataturk Monument.

  • In Gezi Park since March 31st, this protester, originally caught off-guard by the Government’s teargas and water cannons, went out and bought a Russian army mask from WWII, preparing for what was to come.

  • This rambunctious boy seems to be enjoying the chaos. After taking this picture he threw a stone at the already destroyed building in the background.

  • Forming a line, the police face off directly with protesters in Taksim Square. After a while, they retreated and there was a general cheer – a back-and-forth dance that has been common since the beginning of this protest.

  • An elderly woman in Gezi Park reads the news. The tent community occupying the park was violently destroyed on June 16th.

  • Many different groups had set up booths to promote their cause in Taksim Square and Gezi Park. Standing in front of one, this man waves his flag while posing with conviction.

  • Many home-remedies are used to minimize the effects of tear gas. This woman has put a milky solution on her face, removing her mask after the tear gas dissipated. Before sunrise, the police came again for another round of teargasing.

  • People capitalize on the uprising -- selling flags, beer, gas masks, sky lanterns and spray paint to name just a few of the popular items.

  • On Monday morning, June 11, the police execute a strong offensive. Many plain-clothed police officers, like the ones seen here, clash with protesters in the side streets away from the main stand-off in Taksim.

  • The authorities seem to be most aggressive in the night, pushing protesters away from the square and park. After being teargassed this young woman catches her breath with other protesters on Siraselviler Street.

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