News

On this day in 1847, the Republic of Liberia achieved independence

The Republic of Liberia achieved its long-awaited independence on July 26, 1847. Since then, July 26 has become a cherished national holiday, celebrated with great pride and unity by Liberians, as it symbolizes their enduring spirit and the triumph of liberty over oppression.

Clay Cane
July 26, 2023

Members of the women in peacebuilding network, started by Nobel Peace Prize winner Leymah Gbowee, sing alongside a Liberian flag as part of their daily activism for peace, on the eve of presidential elections in Monrovia, Liberia Monday, Oct. 10, 2011. Africa's first democratically elected female president, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who was honored this week with a Nobel Peace Prize, will face stiff competition at Liberia's presidential polls Tuesday against a fiery opposition candidate and his soccer-star running mate.(AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Reading Time: < 1 minute

The Republic of Liberia achieved its long-awaited independence on July 26, 1847. This historic moment marked a significant milestone in the nation’s history, as it became the first African republic to declare sovereignty.

Founded by freed African-American slaves and free people of color from the United States, Liberia was established as a place of refuge and freedom for those who sought to escape slavery and oppression.

With a profound commitment to self-governance and the principles of democracy, the newly independent nation embarked on a journey towards progress, resilience, and nation-building.

Since then, July 26 has become a cherished national holiday, celebrated with great pride and unity by Liberians, as it symbolizes their enduring spirit and the triumph of liberty over oppression.

This photo shows an American gun crew guarding a dock where supplies are being unloaded on Dec. 7, 1942 in Liberia, West Africa. Army troops stationed in Liberia are helping to protect a republic founded by an African American from Virginia, Joseph Jenkins Roberts, in 1847. About the size of Ohio, Liberia fought with the allies in the last war and is aligned with them again against the axis. The country’s population of almost two million is made up of a few thousand Liberians and indigenous tribes such as the Gbandi, Kpwesi, Buzi, Vai, Mende and Mandingo, the latter three being Muslims. (AP Photo)

Click play to listen to the AURN News report from Clay Cane. Follow @claycane & @aurnonline for more.

Clay Cane is an award-winning journalist, writer, radio host, and political commentator. A graduate of Rutgers University with a degree in African-American Studies, his work on race, culture, and politics have appeared in national publications, including the Washington Post, CNN, and The Grio. Clay is a regular political commentator on MSNBC. Twitter: @claycane