institute, the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. he claims that that within the next 25 years, astronomers will have scanned enough star systems to detect alien-produced electromagnetic signals. many scientists claimed there could be billions of earth-like planets out there somewhere. of course, contacting the little green men is a different story all together. on this day in 1990, nelson mandela walked out of a prison in south of a frick kach the anti-apartheid leader spent 27 years locked up, most of that time in robben island, a tiny cell, no bed, no plumbing. he became a symbol, of course, for the fight for freedom and support poured in from around the world. finally, south africa s president took steps to end apart tied and set mandela free. the two leaders shared the nobel peace prize and nelson mandela became south africa s first
his hometown on the eastern cape. south africa s first black president was in prison for 27 years. nelson mandela died on december 5 in his johannesberg home at the age of 95. winter snowstorm has left a blanket of snow from the midwest to new england. the same system dropped as much of a foot of snow on parts of the northeast, canceling nearly 1200 flights. now back to our program. this is headliners & legends. once again, lester holt. after more than a decade in prison, nelson mandela rose to the pinnacle of leadership and was the anti-apartheid symbol. his arrest and imprisonment had done little to diminish his image as a freedom fighter. as his fight continued behind
i m veronica de la cruz, here s what s happening. in south africa, the final procession to the burial site for nelson mandela is now underway. mandela s castro set being escorted by a military honor guard now. burial at the grave site will be private, attended by family members and friends. the anti-apartheid leader is being laid to rest at a family grave site in his hometown on the eastern cape. nearly 5,000 guests attended today s ceremonies. the burial ends ten days of mourning ceremonies. mandela suffered 27 years in apartheid prisons before becoming south africa s first black president and preaching forgiveness and reconciliation. mandela died on december 5th in his johannesburg home at the age of 95. a winter storm has left a blanket of snow from the midwest into new england. the weather is being blamed for four deaths in missouri. the same system has dropped as much as a foot of snow on part of the northeast, canceling nearly 1,200 flight. i m veronica de la cruz. now back to
millions of people around the world turning their attention to south africa. that s the hometown of nelson mandela and where he ll fw laid to rest about an hour from now. the anti-apartheid icon in south africa s first black president died at the age of 95. if the rights are not carried out, his tribe believes the dead will come back in spirt to demand that they are performed. after the ritual is completed, the body will be handed over to the church for the sfat fun yal. we can see the proceedings going on live right now. a full state funeral here wrapped in the flag.
symbol of a new unified south africa and an international icon of forgiveness has been laid to rest. a short time ago, nelson mandela was buried in his childhood village of qunu. a military escort carried the casket to its final resting place. quite a turnout here. earlier today some 4500 people including heads of state and celebrities such as oprah winfrey, filled a giant tent for the state funeral for south africa s first black president. we re hearing and seeing the final moments of 19 firefighters who were overrun by a massive wildfire in arizona. they remain stunningly calm even as they found themselves surrounded by flames. an american has been missing in iran for six years.