On july 26 1847 11 men, representing diffrent parts of the commonwealth of Liberia, and led by Hilary Teage, signed the Liberian Declaration of Independence. By signing the declaration of independence these men told the world that a new country, and the first free negro nation on the African continent was born. they were Samuel Benedict, Hilary Teage, Elijah Johnson, John Naustehlau Lewis, Beverly R. Wilson and J.B. Gripon from Montserrado County; John Day, Amos Herring, Anthony William Gardiner and Ephriam Titler from Grand Bassa County; and Jacob W. Prout and Richard E. Murray from Sinoe County.
So this july 26 we at home and abroad honored these patrioctic sons of Liberia for taking the first bold step in putting our country on to path to statehood.
Timeline of Key events in our country’s history….
In 1822, groups of freed Black Americans from the U.S. settled on the coast of Western Africa with a grant of $100,000 from President James Monroe.
Because of the inhumane way they were treated in America, many of the free slaves, after the American civil war of the 1860s decided to come to Africa, and start a new life.
Free slaves in America preparing to come to Liberia in 1862.
The Elizabeth brought the first group of free slaves to Africa in1822 and settle on an island called perseverance island. today its called the providence island.
In 1847, these settlers established the Republic of Liberia, the first independent country in Africa, they would then call their capital Monrovia for President James Monroe.
Susanna Lewis, and seven other women design the Liberian Flag, also know as the lone star.
The Liberian president residence as it looked in 1850.
The Liberian cabinet in the late 1800s.
Liberian 2 dollars of 1880.
1917 – Liberia declares war on Germany, giving the Allies a base in West Africa.
The city of Monrovia at the turn of the century, it was partially destroyed by a German U-boat when Liberia joined America and the allies in the first world war.
1926 – Firestone Tire and Rubber Company opens rubber plantation on land granted by government. Rubber production becomes backbone of economy.
1936 – Forced-labour practices abolished.
1943 – William Tubman elected president.
1944 – Government declares war on the Axis powers.
President Edwin Barclay of Liberia chats with U.S president F.D.R
1951 May – Women and indigenous property owners vote in the presidential election for the first time.
1958 – Racial discrimination outlawed.
1971 – Tubman dies and is succeeded by William Tolbert Jr.
1979 – More than 40 people are killed in riots following a proposed increase in the price of rice
1980 – Master Sergeant Samuel Doe stages military coup. Tolbert and 13 of his aides are publicly executed. A People’s Redemption Council headed by Doe suspends constitution and assumes full powers.
1989 – National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL) led by Charles Taylor begins an uprising against the government. 
1990 – Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) sends peacekeeping force. Doe is executed by a splinter group of the NPFL.
2003 August – Nigerian peacekeepers arrive. Charles Taylor leaves Liberia after handing power to his deputy Moses Blah. US troops arrive. Interim government and rebels sign peace accord in Ghana. Gyude Bryant chosen to head interim administration.
2005 23 November – Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf becomes the first woman to be elected as an African head of state. She takes office the following January.
The Beloved President of our proud nation continues to carry the hope of an entire country
Happy birthday Liberia, and Happy independence day to all my countrymen at home and all across the globe, our country turn 161 years old on the 26 of July this year, let us again reflect on the last 2 decades of our country’s recent past, and pray for the almost 200,000 of our countrymen who died in a senseless war,all the while holding our heads up high, for the future holds nothing but possibilities, and always rembering the words of our national anthem, In union strong success is sure, we cannot fail, and that we are all in the same boat together, one nation, one people, and one commom destiny. God bless us all.
I found this blog on a google search and boy am I glad I did. I thought I heard someone mention it in a free chat room.
Awesome read!
I am the author of many articles, and a book titled, Notes And Documents of Free Persons of Color. It is a detailed account of my ancestors, here in America. I am currently working on my second book, titled Pieces of the Quilt: The Mosaic of An African American Family. While researching for my second book, I discovered that Past President Elijah Johnson is a direct ancestor.
I was born and raised in Chester County Pennsylvania, a state where many escaped slaves settled, or passed through. It is where Lincoln University is located (founded for the education of Africans and African Americans. My ancestor, Sarah Johnson, and her brother, Elijah Johnson were born in Chester County. She was born about 1810, and her brother was born in 1813. Chester County took over care of the children, possibly because their mother died. They list their race as black, and the father as Elijah Johnson. They remained in the orphanage, for several years, and eventually Elijah went into an apprenticeship program. I believe that my ancestor Elijah Johnson intended to come back for his children. He did not foresee the conditions that meant them in Liberia.
My ancestor, Sarah Johnson eventually married, but died when my Great Great Grandfather was a child. He fought in the Civil War out of Pennsylvania, and lived there all of his life. I believe that my ancestor, Elijah Johnson is a descendant of Anthony Johnson, a free black who arrived in Jamestown Virginia in 1619. His descendants live throughout Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and New Jersey. I have just proved my connection to Elijah Johnson, and am interested in communicating with other descendants. It is interesting that I have an ancestor in Liberia, as my Great-Great Grandmother was enslaved in Guinea, and sent to America. We also have ancestor of the Fulani Tribe in Northern Nigeria.
Elijah Johnson is not the only relative who left America and settled in Liberia. I am related to the Lewis’ from Virginia, who were Free Persons of Color there. Several left the area and settled in Liberia in the mid 1800′s. Other free blacks from my family left and settled in Nova Scotia. However, Elijah Johnson is my first direct ancestor, who emigrated to Africa.
I would like to share information with other descendants, and those who have historical knowledge of my ancestor.
Anita L. Wills
Anyone know how to do things like this?
While you never gave the first for providence Island?you only said perserverance Island.you should have named the seven ladies who made the flag.
Thank you For Review Best Content
I asked for the names of the seven ladies who made the flag of Liberia
Please give me the names of the seven ladies who made the Liberian flag.