. >>> overseas tonight, and the visit to robben island. president obama, in the room where nelson mandela spent so many of those 27 years in prison. >>> and the shockwave. who could forget about that giant russian meteorite? tonight here, what we never knew, the moment we heard this. >>> good evening and it's great to have you with us here on a sunday night and for a good many of you, we hope you are indoors next to a fan or an air conditioner with that massive heat wave across nearly a dozen states, now turning deadly. as far north as washington state, this umpire at a home plate, putting on a hat full of water just to cool off. this worker in arizona, out at daybreak, trying to get some work done before the worst of the heat could hit. this man, checking on air conditioners, takes a break at the truck, splashing water onto his face. and just look at the scope of the system tonight. record-setting temperatures this weekend from boise, idaho, reaching 101. sacramento breaking a record at 107. needles, california, 123. phoenix, 119. all the

and i knew that while brave people were imprisoned just off the shores on robben island. my own government and the united states was not standing on their site. and that's why i got him home. what was known as the divestment movement in the united states. it was the first time i ever attached myself to a cause you heard that right folks a young barack obama cared so much about justice in south africa that it actually drove him to get into politics we're moving tribute too bad i'm buying it see if obama's empty words actually held water he would be standing on the right side of history the side that nelson mandela has always stood on as a young south african living under full apartheid mandela became involved in and to clone a politics that worked to dismantle the oppressive system of institutionalized racism in one nine hundred sixty two mandela was convicted of sabotage and conspiracy and sense to life in prison as a political dissident this was a man who fought against corruption and oppression even if it meant letting him in jail for the rest of his life and then there

and i knew that while brave people were imprisoned just off the shores on robben island. my own government and the united states was not standing on their side. and that's why i got involved in what was known as the divestment movement in the united states. it was the first time i ever attached myself to a cause you heard that right folks a young barack obama cared so much about justice in south africa that it actually drove him to get into politics or movie in tribute to bad i'm buying it see if obama's empty words actually hold water he would be standing on the right side of history the side that nelson mandela has always stood on as a young south african living under full apartheid mandela became involved in and to clone a politics that worked to dismantle the oppressive system of institutionalized racism in one nine hundred sixty two mandela was convicted of sabotage and conspiracy and sense to life in prison as a political dissident this was a man who fought against corruption and oppression even if it meant landed him in jail for the rest of his life and then there

and i knew that while brave people were imprisoned just off the shores on robben island. my own government and the united states was not standing on their side. and that's why i got involved in what was known as the divestment movement in the united states. it was the first time i ever attached myself to a cause you heard that right folks a young barack obama cared so much about justice in south africa that it actually drove him to get into politics but a movie in tribute to bad i'm buying it see if obama's empty words actually held water he would be standing on the right side of history the side that nelson mandela has always stood on as a young south african living under full apartheid mandela became involved in and to clone a politics that worked to dismantle the oppressive system of institutionalized racism in one nine hundred sixty two mandela was convicted of sabotage and conspiracy and sentenced to life in prison as a political dissident this was a man who fought against corruption and oppression even if it meant letting him in jail for the rest of his life and the

and i knew that while brave people were imprisoned just off the shores on robben island. my own government in the united states was not standing on their site. and that's why i got him home. what was known as the divestment. in the united states. it was the first time i ever attached myself to a cause you heard that right folks a young barack obama cared so much about justice in south africa that it actually drove him to get into politics we're moving tribute too bad i'm buying it see if obama's empty words actually held water he would be standing on the right side of history the side that nelson mandela has always stood on as a young south african living under full apartheid mandela became involved in and to clone a politics that worked to dismantle the oppressive system of institutionalized racism in one nine hundred sixty two mandela was convicted of sabotage and conspiracy and sense to life in prison as a political dissident this was a man who fought against corruption and oppression even if it meant letting him in jail for the rest of his life and then there is obama

and i knew that while brave people were imprisoned just off the shores on robben island. my own government and the united states was not standing on their site. and that's why i got involved. what was known as the divestment. in the united states. it was the first time i ever attached myself to a cause you heard that right folks young barack obama cared so much about justice in south africa that it actually drove him to get into politics we're moving tribute too bad i'm buying it see if obama's empty words actually held water he would be standing on the right side of history the side that nelson mandela has always stood on as a young south african living under full apartheid mandela became involved in and to clone a politics that worked to dismantle the oppressive system of institutionalized racism in one nine hundred sixty two mandela was convicted of sabotage and conspiracy and sentenced to life in prison as a political dissident this was a man who fought against corruption and oppression even if it meant letting him in jail for the rest of his life and then there is ob

president obama over the weekend visited the jail cell on robben island where nelson mandela spent 18 years of his life in prison. 18 years. the president reflected on that powerful moment and later shared why mandela's legacy is so important to us all. >> like billions all over the world, i and the american people have drawn strength from the example of this extraordinary leader and the nation that he changed. nelson mandela showed us that one man's courage can move the world. >> one man's courage can move the world. the courageous work of nelson mandela and others like him helped give me and other activists energy to keep on fighting. i remember working with various leaders, great leaders that aspired to greatness. they all were committed. i worked closely with martin luther king iii. i think of how his father lost his life. we'll never be a nelson mandela or a martin luther king. most of us will never approach anywhere near a level of greatness. but we all can do something. i can imagine 27 years in jail like mandela. i've been arrested for marches, but nothing like that. but if we

book saying "the world is grateful for the heroes of robben island and remind us that no shackles or cells can match the strength of the human spirit." jonathan karl, abc news, capetown. >> a member of the cirque du soleil acrobatic troupe has been killed in a tragic fall in front of spectators at the mgm grand in las vegas. an audience member says a wire snapped sending the 30-year-old sarah guyard-guillot plummeting 50 feet into an open pit. the mother of two had been with the show for seven years and an acrobatic performer for more than 20 years. >> top european officials are expressing concern that u.s. intelligence agents, the latest revelation from nsa leaker edward snowden. here's abc's nick schifrin. >> deep inside moscow's airport the world's most wanted man is still hiding and apparently still spilling secrets. edward snowden leaked a document that, according to the german magazine, claims the u.s. bugged european allies offices in washington, d.c. and infiltrated their computer networks. the u.s. is frustrated that snowden's data time bomb is still ticking and they can't g

. >>> overseas tonight, and the visit to robben island. president obama, in the room where nelson mandela spent so many of those 27 years in prison. >>> and the shockwave. who could forget about that giant russian meteorite?

. >> reporter: robben island, the fortress where south africa's white government sentinel son mandela to die. now a spartan museum commemorating history uchl over apartheid. the first family toured the lime quarry where mandela and other anti-apartheid prisoners were forced to break rocks for hours a day. also cell 7 b where mandela spent 18 of his 27 years in captivity. it was mr. obama second visit but the first for his wife and children. >> there was something different about bringing my children. and malia is now 15, sasha is 12. and seeing them stand within the walls that once surrounded nelson pan della, i knew this was an experience that they would never forget. >> in pretoria vigils continued for mandela in critical but stable condition and on life-support. >> hello capetown! >> reporter: mr. obama then came to the university of capetown where another historic figure robert kennedy made his 1966 ripples of hope speech. >> he said each time a man stands up for an idea, or acts to improve the lot of others or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope. >

[applause] >> over a decade ago, i stood in a small cell on robben island with john lewis. on june 23, 1969 from that small cell, nelson mandela, prisoner and husband wrote this. "my dearest winnie, a new world will be won not by those who stand at a distance with their arms folded, but by those in the arena whose garments are torn by storms and whose bodies are maimed in the course of the contest. honor belongs to those who never forsake the troops even when things seem dark and grim who try over and over again, who are never discouraged by insults, humiliation, or even defeat. since the dawn of history, mankind has honored and respected brave and honest people. men and women like you, darling. an ordinary girl who hails from a country village hardly shown on most maps. my sense of devotion to you precludes me from saying more in public than i have already done in this note which must pass through many hands. one day, we will have the privacy which will enable us to share tender thoughts which we have kept buried in our hearts." nelson mandela. [applause] >> the words of a

he did meet with mandela's family and visited robben island where he was held prisoner for so many jere years. president obama is on his way to visit tanzania. >> reporter: as you said, we are ready and waiting for president obama here. he is expected to land a little later in the afternoon and he will be heading into a joint press conference with the tanzania president. what this trip has really been about. from there, he will host a business forum bringing together local partners with the u.s. businessmen have come along with him on this trip. president obama has made very clear this trip, for him, is about expanding those investment opportunities for u.s. business. he needs to do that. three years ago, in 2009, china surpassed the u.s. as china's individual trading partner. since then, the u.s. has been playing catch up and given the demographics, the consumer orr yen at a timed class. president obama wants america to step up its game in africa and not be left out when it comes to taking advantage of the opportunities this continent presents. >> there are two u.s. president's visits.

well it's bizarre isn't it president obama recently went and visited robben island and he actually was in the cell where nelson mandela was and he actually wrote in the business book the nothing can break the strength of the human spirit not even shackles or chains but he forgot to add of course unless you behave how you happen to be in our shackles and chains and in ourselves of course this is the sort of thing that will make people angry but if you look at the the over six hundred prisoners that are being released from guantanamo almost every single one has returned not to begin a month of terrorism and recidivism as they call it but actually to stretch their hands and out across to follow the guantanamo soldiers guards and interrogators that for the want of gods come to my house and meet the children and the they prevented me from seeing when they were born so this is the sort of nature of the one prisoners who are extremely forgiving and just briefly those hunger strikers it seems that they're prepared to die during your time there did you think you're perhaps die in guantanamo and

alled "i live to this is a clip featuring one of the students, thesale, where he visits the robben island, where nelson mandela was imprisoned for 27 years. >> it was a revelation to see were nelson mandela stayed for such a long time. > >> for me it was interesting to see how small it was. the sale was literally smaller than most peoples. to have someone come out of a place like that and has such peace in his heart, still, wow, that is amazing. >> i learned so much. .et i am a child of that era mandelaiate what nelson and the others went through. the world would probably be a different place if it wasn't for their hard work. ♪ >> have your parents ever seen you perform in an opera? >> never. >> i would like to see him. totruly, truly i would like be in front of him and listened. >> that is a clip from "i live that follows three young singers from cape town's opera school. the film prepares tonight on pbs and new york city. you can watch it online as well starting tomorrow. for more we're joined by the film's director, julie cohen. welcome. first of all, tell me about the singer in the

alled "i live to this is a clip featuring one of the students, thesale, where he visits the robben island, where nelson mandela was imprisoned for 27 years. >> it was a revelation to see were nelson mandela stayed for such a long time. > >> for me it was interesting to see how small it was. the sale was literally smaller than most peoples bathrooms. to have someone come out of a place like that and has such peace in his heart, still, wow, that is amazing. >> i learned so much. .et i am a child of that era mandelaiate what nelson and the others went through. the world would probably be a different place if it wasn't for their hard work. ♪ >> have your parents ever seen you perform in an opera? >> never. >> i would like to see him. totruly, truly i would like be in front of him and listened. >> that is a clip from "i live that follows three young singers from cape town's opera school. the film prepares tonight on pbs and new york city. you can watch it online as well starting tomorrow. for more we're joined by the film's director, julie cohen. welcome. first of all, tell me about the sing

island. amber says i can just imagine the range of emotions he must have felt in that prison cell. i'm sure sasha was moved too. koleman says this picture exemplifies the president's love for his children and for humanity. if you want to take a closer look at this photo or share it with your friends, we posted it on our facebook page for you. just head over to facebook and search "politicsnation" and like us to join the conversation that keeps going long after the show ends. [ male announcer ] here's a word you should keep in mind. unbiased. some brokerage firms are. but way too many aren't. why? because selling their funds makes them more money. which makes you wonder -- isn't that a conflict? search "proprietary mutual funds." yikes! then go to e-trade. we've got over 8,000 mutual funds, and not one of them has our name on it. we're in the business of finding the right investments for you. e-trade. less for us. more for you. the fund's prospectus contains its investment objectives, risks, c

he arrive this had cape town a short time ago and is spekd the morning at robben island, the jail will mandel was held for 18 of the 27 years of his confinement. saturday the president met privately and spoke about the former leader's legacy. >> as you you go forward, i want you to position of the map who is in our prayers today. think about 27 years of prison respect think about the hardships and struggles, being away from family and friends. reflecting on his years in prison, nelson mandela wrote that there were dark moments that tested his faith in humanity, but he refused to give up. >> all of this amid significant political challenges and debates back home in washington. we'll get right into. joining me now, rachel maddow, founder and chairman of the safe and freedom coalition ralph oig reed, profession or at georgetown university, former republican senator jim demint, and our own justice correspondent pete williams. pete, are you such a significant news man that even when you get news of something significant like the ruling and the gay marriage debate, it is becoming viral sensa

but as the president and first family retraced mandela's life as a prisoner on bleak robben island, a poignant truth emerged, the world's two most famous black presidents would never meet. mr. obama did meet briefly with some of mandela's family in johannesburg. the first couple shown in this white house photo phoned mandela's third wife almost always at his bedside. >> mandiba's health weighs heavily on our hearts. nelson mandela showed us that one man's courage can move the world. and he calls on us to make choices that reflect not our fears but our hopes. >> reporter: before arriving here, the president announced a $16 billion joint venture between the united states government and american corporations to try to create 80% capacity for electricity across the continent of africa in 15 years. one other note the president and the first lady will see president -- former president bush and former first lady laura bush here in tanzania tomorrow to celebrate the opening of a woman's health clinic and also to memorialize the first terrorist strike against the u.s. embassy here in tanzania

island. joining us, alex, thanks for joining us. how important was this trip? >> i think it was pretty important in that during his first term, he only spent less than 24 hours on sub-saharan african soil. so this trip, significant, it's early in the second term of president obama, and it was a statement, the u.s. is interested in africa. it wants to trade in africa. it's going to give more aid to africa. so important. >> i presume they've been squeezed out quite a lot by china over the last decade. >> well, in terms of trade, i think that has been something that's focused attention in washington. in terms of aid and security, the u.s. has been pretty prominent in africa and continues to do so. >> the question is what are they getting back for their aid and security? >> well, you're getting more stability in certain countries and some instability in others. but i think the big shift is that the u.s. wants to export more to africa. and that was very keenly highlighted in president obama's pres

on sunday in sou president and his family visited robben island where nelson mandela had spent most of his 27 years as a political prisoner. >>> round two of an intense fight over abortion gets underway here in texas. governor rick perry called another special session so state lawmakers can vote on a measure stopped in part by a high profile filibuster. janet has this story. jan net, good morning. >> good morning to you. after state senator wendy davis derailed the abortion bill and became an internet sensation in the process, texas lawmakers will be back at it today and both sides are promising they won't back down. >> we will fight as we begin the session again on monday. >> wendy davis appeared on meet the press sunday. poised and ready for round two. >> even if this bill passes, obviously there will be challenges to it going forward. >> you're already seeing wendy davis's filibuster as a cry for democrats not only in texas but also around the country. >> she was thrust into the national spotlight last week. >> i'm rising on the floor today. >> following an epic 11 hour filibuster t

. >> over a decade ago, i stood in a small cell on robben island where john lewis was in on june june 23, 1959, from that small cell, nelson mandela, prisoner and husband of this. a new world will be won by those who are in the arena whose garments are torn by storms and whose bodies are named in the courses of the contests. it belongs to those who never forsake the truth, even when things seem dark and grim. to try over and over again to be discouraged were defeated since the dawn of history, mankind has honored and respected brave and honest people. men and women like you, an ordinary girl who kills from a country village hardly shown on the maps. i sense of devotion to you precludes me from saying more in public and i have argued on. which must pass through many means. one day we will have the privacy that will enable us to share the tender thoughts which we have kept buried in our hearts. nelson mandela. [applause] ..

there's president obama on robben island standing in the cell nelson mandela spent so many years in and going to tanzania where he may meet president bush as well. i'm sorry, you shouldn't stand with a backdrop like that behind you. we have so little sympathy. >> one thing you should do, as a public service for you, we want point out given the time difference between where you are, pui went 4 for 5 and your dodgers beat the phillies. okay. >> buddy, not only that, the last place dodgers just four games back, the nationals are on a roll, so my son is fired up about that. suddenly the all-star break, you know, it's suddenly baseball's fun again in the todd household. we're excited. >> have a great time in tanzania. thanks very much. >> all right. >> joining us the editor of "the new republic," frank foer. the magazine's cover says "snap out of it, mr. president" and offers a second-term recovery guide for the white house. is it already time for a second term recovery guide? >> sadly it is. a rough couple months for the guy. as the shot you showed on the screen, he's got 1,285 days from th