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Thousands come together to remember the celebrated anti-apartheid leader.

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People arrive at the First National Bank (FNB) Stadium, also known as Soccer City, ahead of the national memorial service for late former South African President Nelson Mandela on Tuesday, in Johannesburg December 10, 2013.YVES HERMAN/Reuters

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Graca Machel, widow of former South African President Nelson Mandela, is seen in this still image taken from video courtesy of the South Africa Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) at the First National Bank (FNB) Stadium, also known as Soccer City, ahead of Mandela's national memorial service in Johannesburg December 10, 2013.REUTERS TV/Reuters

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In this image from TV, South African President Jacob Zuma, centre, arrives at the FNB Stadium in Soweto, South Africa, ahead of a memorial service for former South African President Nelson Mandela, Tuesday Dec. 10, 2013.The Associated Press

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Retired Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu, right, arrives with Former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan for the memorial service for former South African president Nelson Mandela at the FNB Stadium in Soweto near Johannesburg, Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2013.Ben Curtis/The Associated Press

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South Africa rugby union captain Francois Pienaar waits for the memorial service for former South African president Nelson Mandela at the FNB Stadium in Soweto near Johannesburg, Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2013.Ben Curtis/The Associated Press

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French President Francois Hollande, centre right, speaks with former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, 2nd left, ahead of the memorial service for former South African president Nelson Mandela at the FNB Stadium in Soweto, near Johannesburg, South Africa, Tuesday Dec. 10, 2013.Peter Dejong/The Associated Press

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Actress Charlize Theron waits with musician Bono for the memorial service for former South African president Nelson Mandela at the FNB Stadium in Soweto near Johannesburg, Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2013.Ben Curtis/The Associated Press

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In this image from TV, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, front left, wwelcomes joint UN-Arab League Syria envoy Lakhdar Brahimi, front right, with former US President Jimmy Carter, back centre, stepping out of van, as they arrive at the FNB Stadium in Soweto, South Africa, ahead of a memorial service for former South African President Nelson Mandela, Tuesday Dec. 10, 2013.The Associated Press

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Mandla Mandela, right, the grandson of Nelson Mandela arrives for the memorial service for former South African president Nelson Mandela at the FNB Stadium in Soweto, near Johannesburg, South Africa, Tuesday Dec. 10, 2013.Peter Dejong/The Associated Press

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Former South African president FW De Klerk gestures as he arrives with his wife Elita for the memorial service for former South African president Nelson Mandela at the FNB Stadium in Soweto, near Johannesburg, South Africa, Tuesday Dec. 10, 2013.Ben Curtis/The Associated Press

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U.S. President Barack Obama (L) is welcomed upon his arrival on Air Force One to attend a memorial service for Nelson Mandela at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg December 10, 2013.KEVIN LAMARQUE/Reuters

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People start singing as they arrive for a mass memorial for late former South African President Nelson Mandela at First National Bank (FNB) Stadium, also known as Soccer City, in Johannesburg December 10, 2013.KAI PFAFFENBACH/Reuters

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People kiss images of late former South African President Nelson Mandela as they arrive for a mass memorial at First National Bank (FNB) Stadium, also known as Soccer City, in Johannesburg December 10, 2013.KAI PFAFFENBACH/Reuters

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People start singing as they arrive for a mass memorial for late former South African President Nelson Mandela at First National Bank (FNB) Stadium, also known as Soccer City, in Johannesburg December 10, 2013.KAI PFAFFENBACH/Reuters

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People sing and dance at First National Bank (FNB) Stadium, also known as Soccer City, ahead of a mass memorial for late former South African President Nelson Mandela in Johannesburg December 10, 2013.YVES HERMAN/Reuters

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People arrive in the pouring rain for the memorial service for former South African president Nelson Mandela at the FNB Stadium in Soweto, near Johannesburg, South Africa, Tuesday Dec. 10, 2013.Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi/The Associated Press

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U.S. President Barack Obama, left, greets Cuban President Raul Castro before giving his speech at the memorial service for late South African President Nelson Mandela at the First National Bank soccer stadium, also known as Soccer City, in Johannesburg December 10, 2013. Obama shook the hand of Castro at a memorial for Nelson Mandela on Tuesday, a rare gesture between the leaders of two nations at loggerheads for more than half a century.KAI PFAFFENBACH/Reuters

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President Barack Obama speaks to crowds attending the memorial service for former South African president Nelson Mandela at the FNB Stadium in Soweto near Johannesburg, Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2013. World leaders, celebrities, and citizens from all walks of life gathered on Tuesday to pay respects during a memorial service for the former South African president and anti-apartheid icon.Evan Vucci/The Associated Press

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