^{Mahatama Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869, in Western India.}

^{During that time, India was under British rule and so, he was a a part of the British form of education. At the age of 22, he left his homeland and headed to England to complete his law degree. After 3 years in England, he decided to go to South Africa ( which was also under British rule) to open a Law firm and make use of his knowledge.}

^{About two weeks after his arrival at South Africa Gandhi experienced something that would forever change his life. He had bought a first class ticket on a train bound to Pretoia from Durban. He was in the first class compartment when a white man refused to sit with him, simply because he had a dark complexion. Gandhi was told to move to the third class of the train. Gandhi, insulted by the man's request, refused to leave the first class compartment. Eventually, he was phisically ejected off the train.}

^{Describing the incident later, Gandhi wrote :}

^{I began to think of my duty. Should I fight for my rights or go back to India, or should I go on to Pretoria without minding the insult. . . . It would be cowardice to run back to India without fulfilling my obligation. The hardship to which I was subjected, was superficial - - only the symptom of the deep disease of color prejudice. I should try, if possible, to root out the disease and suffer hardship in the process. (1987, p8, Puri)}

^{This incident opened Gandhi's eyes to the great injustice the system of Apartheid had on the Indian immigrant population as well as the African population. He was now determind to change things.}

^{Gandhi met with some of the leaders within the Indian community and discussed with them his thouhts. The discussions then led to the first civil rights movenment against the British government. Gandhi and many of his Indian followers publicly destroyed their permanent pass. Every Indian was required by law to have a pass, just in case they were stopped by police. Gandhi was arrested for his actions.}

^{In 1915, after many movements and arrests, Gandhi returned to India with a mission to free all of India from British rule. He was 46 years old when he retured to India and was well known by the Indian and English population. His return was not welcome by the British government. They felt insecure.}

^{As always, all of the protests Gandhi led were non-violent. He spoke to the Indian people and urged them to start making their own clothes and to stop depending on the goods imported from England. He also urged them to start producing their own salt from the Indian Ocean. Salt was an important part of the Indian economy and so, if they take over that area of production, the British governement would have less power over the economy.}

^{In 1942, twenty-seven years after Gandhi's return to India, the British Government agreed to give India its Independent. Gandhi was proud and happy. However, this did not last long because the Indian people within themselves had divided into two different groups. The two groups were separated according to the two main religious groups, the Hindu's and the Muslim's. The two groups had different views and wanted to form two independent countries. Gandhi did not approve. Nevertheless, the two countries were formed into what we now know as Pakistan (the muslim region) and India (the Hindu region).}

^{On January 30 1948, Gandhi was assasinated by a fanatic Hindu. He was 79 years old.}