The historic event that marked the beginning of the end of apartheid in South Africa was the unbanning of the African National Congress (ANC) and the release of Nelson Mandela in 1990. These actions came after years of domestic and international pressure against the apartheid regime's racial segregation policies. The unbanning of the ANC provided a legal platform for black South Africans to engage in political processes, while Mandela's release fostered hope for reconciliation and transition toward majority rule. These developments eventually led to the first multiracial elections in 1994, culminating in Mandela's election as the first black president, symbolizing a significant victory for justice and equality.