Today in History: Liberia

Liberian senate
Today in History–July 26–the Library of Congress features Liberia, declared an independent republic on this day in 1847. Formerly a colony of the American Colonization Society—organized in 1817 to resettle free black Americans in West Africa—Joseph Jenkins Roberts was elected the first president of the republic in 1848. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more primary sources related to this African nation and its founder.

Joseph Jenkins Roberts image set

R. R. Gurley to James Madison, American Colonization Society February 12, 1833

American Colonization Society to James Madison: Membership Certificate 1816

American Colonization Society text primary source set

Historical newspaper coverage of the American Colonization Society

Historical newspaper coverage of Liberia

Liberia maps

Liberia images

Liberia postcard collection

Liberia books, reports & other texts

U.S. legislation related to Liberia 

Guide to Liberian law

Timeline: History of Liberia

Liberia country profile BBC

Liberia timeline BBC

Library blog posts related to Liberia

Related resources