1. The South African government announced that Nelson Mandela's body would lie in state from Wednesday through Friday at the Union Buildings, the government offices in South Africa’s capital, Pretoria.
Markus Schreiber, Pool via Associated Press
2. On the first two days, crowds lined the streets of Pretoria to see Mandela's body transported from a military hospital to the amphitheater where he was sworn in as the country's first black president 19 years ago.
Katlholo Maifadi, Pool via Associated Press
3. Authorities asked the public to line the street as an honor guard. Thousands complied.
Kevin Coombs / Reuters
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4. Men, women, and children have waited for hours each day for the chance to view the former president's body and pay their final respects.
Handout / Reuters
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Mike Hutchings / Reuters
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Mike Hutchings / Reuters
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Stringer / Reuters
8. Those who were unable to make it in person sent letters and drawings honoring Mandela's legacy.
Rogan Ward / Reuters
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Bernat Armangue/Associated Press
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Markus Schreiber/Associated Press
11. Many of those waiting in line sang songs from the struggle against apartheid and held hands as they made their way to the Union Buildings.
Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi/Associated Press
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Markus Schreiber/Associated Press
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Kevin Coombs / Reuters
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Themba Hadebe/Associated Press
15. Police officers standing a few steps away from the coffin held boxes of tissues for those mourners who found themselves overcome with emotion.
Yves Herman / Reuters
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Yves Herman / Reuters
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Markus Schreiber, Pool via Associated Press
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Kopano_Tlape, CGIS/Associated Press
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