The poem "Invictus" was written in 1875 by William Ernest Henley while in the hospital recovering from an amputated leg. It discusses having an unconquerable soul despite difficult circumstances. The poem went on to be referenced in pop culture, including being recited by Timothy McVeigh before his execution. Apartheid was a system of racial segregation and oppression in South Africa from 1948 to 1994 that privileged the white minority. Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years for fighting against apartheid before being released in 1990 and elected president in 1994 with the goal of uniting the newly racially integrated country, as depicted in the film "Invictus."