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Happy Birthday, Madiba - As he turns 95 on July 18, 2013, South African freedom fighter Nelson Mandela has had a wide array of birthday parties thrown in his honor. From partying with thousands of foster children to ringing in the big day with world leaders, Mandela made it a point to include others on his special occasion. Keep reading for a retrospective look at Mandela’s previous birthday celebrations. – Patrice Peck(Photo: REUTERS/Juda Ngwenya/Nelson Mandela Foundation /Landov)

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No Place Like Home – 2012 - Former South African President Nelson Mandela celebrates his 94th birthday with family at his house in Qunu, South Africa. (Photo: AP Photo/Schalk van Zuydam, File)

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Zenani Gives Her Great Grandfather a Card – 2009 - Nelson Mandela’s great granddaughter Zenani Mandela presents the famed leader with an oversized, handmade birthday card on his 91st birthday in 2009. Zenani died in a car crash about one year later. (Photo: REUTERS/Nelson Mandela Foundation/Peter Morey/Handout)

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Make a Wish – 2008 - Graca Machel watches as her husband blows out his birthday cake candles on his 90th birthday. The famed revolutionary held celebrations at his home in Qunu on July 19. (Photo: REUTERS/Themba Hadebe/Pool /Landov)

Photo By REUTERS/Themba Hadebe/Pool /Landov

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From One Former President to Another – 2007 - Former President of Ireland Mary Robinson gifts a smiling Mandela with a fruit basket on his 89th birthday. (Photo: REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko)

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A Few Young Partygoers – 2006 - On his 88th birthday, Mandela greets a small group of children attending the celebratory event in Johannesburg. (Photo: REUTERS/Antony Kaminju)

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Celebrate Good Times – 2003 - Confetti showers down on Mandela and Machel on the anti-apartheid hero’s 85th birthday banquet. (Photo: REUTERS/POOL/ Themba Hadebe Pictures)

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Young at Heart – 2002 - Likely drawn towards Madiba’s birthday cake, a group of youngsters celebrate with the South African icon on his 84th birthday at the traditional children’s party. (Photo: REUTERS/Juda Ngwenya)

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A Slice of Birthday Fun – 1998 - At the party for his 80th birthday, Nelson Mandela excites his young attendees as he prepares to cut a cake. The global icon celebrated the occasion with over 1,000 foster children in Kruger Park.(Photo: Reuters Photographer / Reuters)

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Lions, and Tigers and Mandela…Oh My! – 1997 - Celebrating his 79th birthday, Nelson Mandela waves to those accompanying him on the special occasion. (Photo: Reuters Photographer / Reuters)

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Illuminating a Hero’s Birthday – 1996 - Nelson Mandela celebrates his 78th birthday on July 19 with more than 2,000 disabled children in KwaZulu Natal province. (Photo: Juda Ngwenya / Reuters)

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Thousands of Children Celebrate Madiba’s Birthday – 1995 - On the eve of Nelson Mandela’s 77th birthday, 2,000 youths wish the “Father of the Nation” well after he treats them to food and clothes at his annual celebration outside Johannesburg.(Photo: Juda Ngwenya / Reuters)

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Getting Down at 75 – 1993 - Nelson Mandela boogies with children decked in traditional South African garbs at a party for his 75th birthday. (Photo: Juda Ngwenya / Reuters)

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Home in Time for Birthday Cake – 1990 - Returning home from a six-week tour through America, Europe and Africa, a cheery Nelson Mandela takes a moment before blowing out the candles on his 72nd birthday cake in 1990.(Photo: Reuters/Juda Ngwenya)