This Day in Black History: July 26, 1847

The Republic of Liberia became an independent nation in West Africa.
By Jonathan P. Hicks
Posted: 07/26/2012 07:00 AM EDT
Filed Under Global News, Civil War, Charles Taylor, This Day in Black History, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Liberia

Liberia

It is one of the few countries in Africa that has no roots in the European colonization of the continent. Indeed, Liberia has one of the most unusual histories of any African country.

Starting in the 1820s, a small section on the west coast of Africa was colonized by freed African-Americans, most of them former slaves who migrated from the United States with the assistance of the American Colonization Society (the first 10 presidents of Liberia were born in the United States). After decades of migration, Liberia was established as a republic on July 26, 1847, fashioned after the government of the United States. The capital, Monrovia, was named after James Monroe, America’s fifth president. The colonists, known as Americo-Liberians, led the political and economic sectors of the country.

The country operated with relative stability until a bloody military coup in 1980 led to the killing of President William R. Tolbert Jr. In the years that followed, Liberia spiraled into civil unrest and a 14-year civil war that left an estimated 250,000 dead while decimating the country’s economy and infrastructure. For years, the country was run by warlord Charles Taylor. A peace agreement was reached in 2003 which was followed two years later that to democratic elections. That year, Liberia elected Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who as president became the first female elected head of state in Africa. She was reelected last year on a platform of continued rebuilding of the country’s economy. Since the war's end, many Liberians who left the country have returned, many from the United States, Europe and other African countries, seeking to open businesses and to reestablish themselves.

BET Global News - Your source for Black news from around the world, including international politics, health and human rights, the latest celebrity news and more. Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.  

Videos You May Like

(Photo: Courtesy of Wiki Commons)

Comments

Trends
Geography of Hate •Twitter •Monica Stephens •National News •Barack Obama •President Barack Obama •President Obama •Congress •infrastructure •Economy •Politics News •Education •Manufacturing •LGBT •Wade Davis •Kyla Pratt •Lets Stay Together •Lauryn Hill •Fashion and Beauty •Oliver Lewis •Sports News •Kentucky Derby •Music News •Tim Dog •Kool Keith •gun violence •New Orleans •Akein Scott •Louisiana •Mother's Day •

How You Can Help the Victims in Oklahoma

The Red Cross, Salvation Army and more ways to give. 05/21/2013

A Snapshot of the African-American Financial Experience

Paying down debt is top priority for Blacks. 05/21/2013

Export Your Summer Jobs Search

What to know about taking a summer job overseas. 05/21/2013

Out and About: Jamie Foxx Parties in New York

Plus pics of Halle Berry, Jaden Smith, Kid Cudi and more. 05/21/2013

The Rundown: French Montana, Excuse My French

A track-by-track review of the Bronx rapper's debut LP. 05/20/2013

Bump Watch: Celebrity Pregnancy Denials

Bey, Brandy and other stars plagued by baby rumors. 05/21/2013

SEARCH

© 2013 BET Interactive, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Black Entertainment Television LLC. All rights reserved.