Nelson Mandela Celebrated in Boston During 1990 US Tour

Massive crowd gathers to welcome anti-apartheid icon on his first visit to the US after 27 years in prison.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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On June 23, 1990, a crowd of over 250,000 people gathered on the Esplanade in Boston to welcome Nelson Mandela and his wife Winnie during their US tour following Mandela's release from 27 years of imprisonment in South Africa. The event featured music performances, speeches from political leaders, and an outpouring of joy and hope as the community celebrated Mandela's freedom and the promise of a more just world.

Why it matters

Mandela's release from prison and his subsequent US tour were seen as a pivotal moment in the global anti-apartheid movement, inspiring hope and unity among diverse communities. The Boston event highlighted the city's progressive politics and its residents' commitment to social justice, even as the community continued to grapple with its own issues of inequality and homelessness.

The details

The celebration took place at the Hatch Shell amphitheater on the Esplanade, a venue typically used for the Boston Pops' Fourth of July concert. The crowd danced, embraced, and cheered as a lineup of musicians including Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Paul Simon, and Hugh Masekela performed. Political figures like Jesse Jackson, Ted Kennedy, and Boston Mayor Ray Flynn also took the stage to join in the festivities.

  • On February 11, 1990, Nelson Mandela was released from prison in South Africa after 27 years of incarceration.
  • On June 23, 1990, Mandela and his wife Winnie visited Boston as part of their US tour.

The players

Nelson Mandela

The former president of South Africa and anti-apartheid activist who was imprisoned for 27 years before being released in 1990.

Winnie Mandela

Nelson Mandela's wife, who accompanied him on the US tour in 1990 before later becoming embroiled in scandals.

Jesse Jackson

American civil rights leader and politician who attended the Boston celebration.

Ted Kennedy

US Senator from Massachusetts who attended the Boston celebration.

Ray Flynn

The Mayor of Boston at the time of the 1990 celebration.

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What they’re saying

“It felt like an orgasm of the heart. A spiritual epiphany. A communal peak experience.”

— Elizabeth West, Author (Counterpunch)

“No one at the Hatch Shell that day was unaware of the twenty-seven years of suffering and injustice on Robben Island that had preceded, and in fact birthed, this moment.”

— Elizabeth West, Author (Counterpunch)

The takeaway

The Boston celebration of Nelson Mandela's release from prison showcased the city's progressive values and its residents' commitment to social justice, even as the community continued to grapple with its own challenges. The event's outpouring of joy, unity, and hope for a better future served as a powerful symbol of the global anti-apartheid movement's triumph over oppression.