Mandela Celebration at Old South Church

SONG OF THE DAY: "In Your Atmosphere (LA Song)" by John Mayer

Good morning, Back Bay! Here are five things you need to know today, Thursday, July 18:

1. MANDELA CELEBRATION: In honor of the South African leader's 95th birthday, a coalition of community organizations, elected officials, and activists host a celebration of Mandela’s life at the Old South Church, 645 Boylston St., Copley Square, Boston, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Gov. Deval Patrick is expected to attend. More information here.

2. SHAKESPEARE: Commonwealth Shakespeare Company offers free Shakespeare On The Common throughout the month of July. Upcoming performances of “The Two Gentlemen of Verona” are scheduled for July 18 at 1 p.m., July 21 at 7 p.m. and July 23-26 at 8 p.m. For reserved chairs and to order picnic boxes, visit www.commshakes.org.

3. GET THE PATCH NEWSLETTER: Have you signed up for the Back Bay Patch Daily Newsletter yet? Each morning you can get Back Bay Patch news delivered directly to your e-mail inbox. It's totally free, so if you like what you read here, sign up now!

4. THIS DAY IN HISTORY: On this day in 1940, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who first took office in 1933 as America's 32nd president, is nominated for an unprecedented third term. Roosevelt, a Democrat, would eventually be elected to a record four terms in office, the only U.S. president to serve more than two terms. Information courtesy of History.com.