The death of Nelson Mandela, the South Africa visionary who dedicated his life to the fight against apartheid in South Africa and went on to become the country’s first black president in a fiercely divided nation, has touched millions around the world including the many he has inspired in the United States.

Several Massachusetts politicians have released statements or expressed their thoughts on Mandela’s passing, including Mayor Tom Menino, who said,

“Nelson Mandela was truly a global statesman. Though I never had the honor of meeting him personally, I was always moved by his strength and bravery. He made tremendous sacrifices for the causes he believed in, bringing an end to apartheid and institutional racism in South Africa. I join the global community in offering my sincerest condolences to his family and the people of South Africa, as well as my sincerest gratitude.”

Governor Deval Patrick said in a statement that “The world lost an ambassador of peace, reconciliation and brotherly love today. Nelson Mandela was a remarkable and inspiring example of resilience, persistence, determination and grace, in his time and for all time.”

Mandela himself made a mark on Boston in the summer of 1990, four years before he became president of South Africa and just months after he was released from Victor Verster Prison. He was here to rally support and raise money for his political party the African National Congress as well as to thank Massachusetts for its role in supporting the anti-apartheid movement.

His one-day but profoundly emotional visit included a meeting with members of the Kennedy family, a visit to Roxbury’s Madison Park High School to speak to Boston youth and educators and an address on the Esplanade that drew a nearly 300,000-strong crowd of camped-out jubilant admirers waving South African flags.

Watch this video below of some moments from Mandela’s 1990 Boston trip:

Image via The AP.