Holidays Around The World � Liberia Holidays

Liberia Celebrates National Redemption Day

Noel — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 01:23:03 +0000

National Redemption Day: April 12

National Redemption Day is celebrated as a public holiday in Liberia

In celebration of the anniversary of the coup d’état that was spearheaded by Samuel Doe in 1980, Liberia dedicated the 12th of April as the National Redemption Day. This is a special day for the Liberians as they commemorate the establishment of the Second Republic.

History of National Redemption Day in Liberia

The existence of Liberia as a modern state was a product of the efforts of the negotiations initiated by the liberated black residents from the United States who were once slaves. These forces received supports from the many different branches of the United States and ruled the country for almost a century.

It was only on 1847 that the country was declared as independent after several years under the hands of the colonial powers. However, when the country achieved its independence, it never managed to stand alone since it was not able to improve its economic stability by itself. Due to this condition, many parts of Liberia’s territory were handed down to the British and French colonies.

The plan of the Europeans on Liberia turned out to be not a good idea for the Liberians. The Europeans wanted to re-establish the Liberians to let go and forget their origins and traditions. Due to the strong spirit of the Liberian customs and values, several underground movements were organized by concerned civilian groups to preserved and maintain their identities.

Liberia was then ruled by President William Tolbert Jr. under a single-party government where there was limited civilian freedom. Moreover, the executive branch controlled the judiciary and legislative branches under the administration of Tolbert.

In 1980, an opposition to the administration of the president led by Gabriel B. Matthews was established and aimed to oust the Tolbert government. Seeing it as a threat, Tolbert had Matthews arrested along with his alliances on March 1990.

A few weeks after the arrest of Matthews, 28-year old Master Sergeant Samuel Doe plotted a coup and assassinated President Tolbert along with his officials. After the execution, Doe established a People’s Redemption Council which granted full executive and legislative council. Doe was officially announced as the President of Liberia on January 1986.

This new constitution created by Doe took effect on 1986 and he was inaugurated as the first president of the Second Republic of Liberia.

National Redemption Day in Liberia Traditions, Customs and Activities

This memorable event in the History of Liberia is being celebrated each year with pride and honor. The people observed the even with respect as they participate in ceremonial activities and parades during the holiday.

The media also covers important events and activities for the whole nation to witness and be part of this yearly celebration. Some of the most common activities throughout the day are parades, rallies, speeches organized by civic groups and political organizations.

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Liberia Celebrates National Day of Fast and Prayer

Noel — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 17:35:21 +0000

Liberian National Day of Fast and Prayer: April 9

National Day of Fast and Prayer is celebrated as a public holiday in Liberia

Liberia observes one day a year of solemn celebration through their National Day of Fast and Prayer which happens every second Friday of April. This day calls out to every Liberians to participate in a national prayer for the divine purification and healing of the nation.

History of the Liberian National Day of Fast and Prayer

Many Christian celebrations which are considered as holy days are being celebrated and honored in Liberia with immense pride and practice. The people of Liberia have high regards into recognizing the Creator and ask for spiritual guidance and safety.

One incident in the history of Liberia which sparked the proclamation of this day of prayer and fasting was the political crisis that happened between Liberia and the British colonial parents of Sierra Leone during the 1800s. Because of the past national crises and surprising tragedies that came by the country, the Liberians realized the importance of dedicating of even just once a day each year to ask for the grace of the Lord and spare them many more years of strength and survival.

Making the first step for the declaration of this holiday, Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf along with the parliament of its republic, enacted a bill proposing the second Friday of April to be a National Day of Fast and Prayer. The holiday will also be a national holiday for National Safety and Welfare.

Liberian National Day of Fast and Prayer Traditions, Customs and Activities

During this day of fast and prayer, the people, regardless of religious preference and perspective gather all together as one unified nation and spend a solemn time in the churches and their places of worship.

The country during this day, observes their traditional Sackcloth and Ashes ritual to fast, pray and meditate. This is usually observed during the evening which starts specifically at 8 o’clock and ends noon of the following day.

Public offices and business establishments also remain closed the whole day and are encouraged to cease from their every day habits and routine to give time to the Lord and recognize the love and guidance of the Creator.

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Liberia Celebrates J. J. Roberts’ Birthday

Carol — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 16:07:39 +0000

Liberia’s J. J. Roberts Birthday: March 15

J. J. Roberts Birthday is a public holiday in Liberia.

The birthday of J. J. Roberts is celebrated in Liberia, a country in West Africa bordering the Atlantic Ocean on its south-west portion of the land. It also shares borders with Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire, and Guinea. He is the first and seventh president of country on January 3, 1848 to January 7, 1856 and on January 1, 1872 to January 3, 1876 respectively.

History of Liberia J. J. Roberts Birthday

Born on March 15, 1809, Roberts migrated from Norfolk, Virginia (USA) to Liberia at the age of 20 in 1829. He initially put up a business and later engaged in Liberian politics which he led twice: one in 1848 and one in 1872.

There were various theories in Roberts’ emigration but two of the most popular are Roberts’ worry of the passing of laws in the US (Black Codes), especially the northern and southern states, which curtail the rights of African-Americans in the region and Roberts’ wanting to devotion to the spread of Christianity in this region of Africa called Liberia.

Together with his family, he joined an expedition which allowed them to set foot on the African nation on February 9, 1829. On the ship on the way to Liberia was James Spriggs Payne who became the fourth president of Liberia. Just like, Roberts, Payne was also based and born on Virginia, USA.

Between 1829 and 1833, Roberts and his family got involved in businesses in Monrovia, the country’s capital. The start of Roberts’ entry into Liberia’s politics happened on 1833 when he became Liberia’s high chief. He was tasked to collect taxes and deal with mounting rebellions in the region; this work continued until he was elected vice governor by an organization based in US that aimed to liberate black slaves and to launched an expedition to establish a new state for the freed black slaves in the US – The American Colonization Society.

Roberts died on February 1876 barely completing the last two months of his term. He was noted to have left a large sum of money ($10,000) and dedicated his assets to be used for the improvement of Liberia’s educational system as written on his will. It is his act of generosity and his unforgettable legacy to the people of Liberia made his people mark a day that commemorate his birthday.

Liberia J. J. Roberts Birthday: Traditions, Customs and Activities

Parades and other exciting activities are held during the holiday including musical events in major cities and towns across Liberia. Special meals are prepared as part of the celebration with dumboy, fufu, and soups made of goat meat are cooked and served with coffee.

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Liberia’s Decoration Day: On Remembering the Fallen

Carol — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 00:40:29 +0000

Decoration Day of Liberia: March 14

Decoration Day is a public holiday in Liberia.

Liberia whose capital is Monrovia, a country located in Africa’s west coast bordering Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Côte d’Ivoire celebrates Decoration Day every year on the 14th of March. The date of the celebration may change but usually fall on the second Wednesday of March.

Decoration Day is also known as Memorial Day because the day serves to commemorate the departed loved ones of the people of Liberian. It is also the day to commemorate those whose lives were perished after the more than 14 years of civil war that plagued the African region destroying among others the cultural, political, and economic foundation of the nation.

History of Liberia Decoration Day

Decoration Day was approved and instituted by Liberia’s Legislature on October 24, 1916. Today, the holiday also points out to the end of various civil tensions from various ethnic groups, the end of a decade long civil war and the achievement of peace in Liberia.

To commemorate the living and the dead, especially those who gave up their lives to uphold the rule of law and maintain peace in the region, the government declared every second Wednesday of each year as a celebration of Decoration Day in 1916. People visiting the grave of their loved ones will usually point out to a passage in Ecclesiastes that says, “There is a time to mourn and a time to dance,” referring to the reason for the celebration.

Liberia Decoration Day: Traditions, Customs and Activities

During the celebration of the Decoration Day in Liberia, people usually visit the cemeteries to paint the tomb of their departed loved. Apart from painting the tombs, some people put in inscriptions directly lifted from the Bible and draw popular Christian images and insignia such as the hands of Jesus praying.

The government may hold a ceremonial speech for all the fallen heroes of the more than one decade of civil war in the country. Since this is a public holiday in Liberia, offices of both public and private companies in the country close to give way for the celebration of the event and visit the graveyard of their loved ones.

At the cemetery, people celebrate the event by signing, and the traditional libation (pouring any alcoholic beverage) of the graves of the dead. The government also holds ceremonial speeches and activities including the hoisting of the National Flag of the republic. Private residences are also seen to hang flags at their home.

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Liberia Celebrates The Armed Forces Day

Noel — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 02:07:35 +0000

Armed Forces Day in Liberia: February 11

Armed Forces Day is observed as a public holiday in Liberia

Liberia holds a yearly respect of the Armed Forces Day and is regarded as a public national holiday in the country. Celebrated every 11th day of February, Armed Forces Day program is witnessed by government officials including the President and the vice President of the state.

History of Armed Forces Day of Liberia

The National defense Law of 1956 was the sole basis of the creation of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL). Before it was called the AFL, it was known as the Liberia Frontier Force which was founded in 1908. The main purpose on why this military group was created was to protect the country against the territorial attacks of the British and the French. The Frontier Force was originally composed of 500 military men who guarded the borders in the locality.

From the time it was founded, The Armed Forces of Liberia went through a lot of reform and amendment which gave an unconstructive impact on its integrity as a troop of national defense. It also came to a point where instead of battling against the territorial rule of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Doe Regime utilized the Armed Forces as one of its prime protectors.

Upon the establishment of the Interim Government of National Unity, the citizens insisted for the restructuring of the Armed Forces. This decision was granted by the office which later on, found a lot of glitches and anomalies in the Armed Forces when it comes to professionalism and reliability.

During the reconstitution of the Armed Forces, the UN International Peacekeeping Force was one of the associations who started the goal to discharge, neutralize and reconstitute the military group.

Presently, the Armed Forces of Liberia is organized into two infantry battalions and support units.

Armed Forces Day of Liberia Traditions, Customs and Activities

The celebration of the Liberian Armed Forces Day is being observed religiously every February 11 as a day to commemorate and give respect to the people behind the shaping and reorganizing of the country’s military force. Part of this celebration is the awarding and honoring of the military men who have been dedicated into serving the country. The merit and medals are awarded by the Liberian President during the ceremonial celebration of the holiday.

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New Year

Noel — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 00:41:57 +0000

New Year Date: January 01

New Year Day is celebrated worldwide.

New Year is an extravagantly celebrated festival in all the cultures in the world. Each culture celebrates New Year according to their calendar. Countries which follow the Gregorian calendar celebrate New Year on January 1st every year which is considered the most festive day amongst all the other days of the year.

New Year History

During the Roman period the New Year was celebrated on the first day of March. Later in 47 BC, Julius Caesar made changes in the calendar and named it the Julian calendar. Marco Antonio and Augustus Caesar later modified the calendar in 44 BC and 8 BC respectively. Finally in the late 1582, Pope Gregory XIII modified the calendar to the form of the one that we all use these days.

January 1st is the first day in this calendar and is celebrated with great significance to it. The expansion of the Western culture all over the world then made January 1 a universally celebrated festival. The New Year which is celebrated worldwide is celebrated with huge fireworks and balloons etc. People wish each other for a very healthy and a prosperous year ahead.

Previously, in Jewish tradition, honey is used to represent a sweet New Year ahead, Rosh Hashana (New Year celebrations in the Jewish tradition). As the traditional meal for that holiday, apple slices are dipped in honey and eaten after a prayer and with blessings recited for a good, prosperous and sweet new year. Some Rosh Hashana greetings show an apple and honey, symbolizing the feast. In some other Jewish communities, small straws of honey are given out to usher in the New Year. The New Year feast which is always followed by the Christmas celebrations, the last week of the year is considered as a week of enjoyment and celebration in the winter season.

Many countries celebrate the New Year in a very grand way. This celebration usually consists of fireworks display and other parades and festivities. For example, London has a major fireworks display along the River Thames, followed by a parade on New Year’s Day. Once, Sydney which had more than half a million people present to witness the celebrations of New Year launched more than 80,000 fireworks at midnight. It was the highest watched celebration on tele-vision worldwide. In Valparaiso more than two million visitors witnessed the huge fireworks in a natural setting. A total of more than 21 kilometers of fireworks were set up on the bay, starting from the commercial port city of Valparaiso to Concon, Chile. These all were set up for 25 minutes of entertainment.

New Year Traditions and Activities

Usually in New York, the celebration is focused around a large crystal ball that slowly descends in a ten second countdown in Times Square, and last year was also the party with the largest number of attendees with more than three million people witnessing the New Year celebrations. Edinburgh plays host to one of the world’s largest Hogmanay (meaning ‘the last day of the year’) events. Celebration here lasts for four days and visitors from all around the globe are attracted to take part in the street parties and festivities, and attend the concerts which take place during midnight.

Important Facts about New Year

New Year is the only festival which is celebrated worldwide. Even though there is no special history behind the festival, all people around the world look forward for this celebration. New Year is a festival in which something innovative and better is done each and every year.

New Years Day is also known as:

New Year Celebrations
New Year Holidays

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Liberia Remembers William Tubman

Noel — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 11:00:09 +0000

Liberia President’s Tubman’s Day: November 29

President’s Tubman’s Day is a Public Holiday in Liberia.

William Vacanarat Shadrach Tubman was born in Harper, Maryland County, Liberia, on November 29, 1895. He was President of Liberia from 1944 until his death in a London clinic on July 23, 1971. With 27 years in office he ruled the country longer than any other president before him – and after him. This day is celebrated in Liberia as a national holiday.

Liberia President’s Tubman’s Day History

President Tubman’s reign over Liberia certainly was controversial. Famous is the 1955 attempt to kill him by a gunman hired by his political opponents. But the country underwent more changes during the quarter of a century that he ruled the country than in the century before.

Tubman is most known by his political ‘National Unification Policy’ and economic ‘Open Door Policy’. In reality, however, none of these policies were new. With respect to Americo-Liberian – tribal relations, as early as 1904 one of his predecessors, President Arthur Barclay (1904 – 1912) had already pleaded for better relations between the colonists and the tribal population.

Similarly, Tubman’s immediate predecessor, Edwin Barclay (1930 – 1944) – cousin of Arthur Barclay – had on more than one occasion repeated his invitation to foreign investors and traders. Moreover, just before he handed over power to William Tubman, President Edwin Barclay made the U.S. dollar sole legal tender in Liberia.

The opening of the country to foreign capital was a controversial issue among the settler population nearly as old as the Republic itself. It was partly responsible for the country’s first coup d’état and the death of the deposed President, Edward Roye, whose death followed the obtaining of a British loan to develop the country. In 1943, William Tubman was elected President of Liberia. He too firmly believed that, unaided, Liberia, would not develop. The historic phrase “Liberia has never had the advantages of colonialism” is often attributed to Tubman and although it is very likely that not he but another prominent Liberian coined this phrase, the idea expressed by it was certainly shared by Tubman.

Liberia President’s Tubman’s Day Customs and Activities

On the birthday of William Vacanarat Shadrach Tubman lots of activities are done at schools level to remember their great president and his renowned work for the country.

Liberia President’s Tubman’s Day: November 29, 2009

President’s Tubman’s Day is a Public Holiday in Liberia.

Liberia President’s Tubman’s Day History

Liberia President’s Tubman’s Day Customs and Activities

On the birthday of William Vacanarat Shadrach Tubman lots of activities are done at schools level to remember their great president and his renowned work for the country. You will notice that on all occasions the Liberian people enjoy joyful and colorful parties with family and drink a lot of a traditional Liberian beverage, ginger beer. However, President Tubman’s Birthday is also an opportunity for opposition parties and discontent activist movements to promote rallies in the streets of Monrovia. Even though the memory of President Tubman divides Liberians, the day still has some mystique around its celebrations, and the Liberian government has opted to keep the holiday as is. The current president visits the Memorial Pavillion and lays a wreath of flowers on the tomb of the late Liberian president.

Liberia Observes Flag Day

Noel — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 10:00:08 +0000

Liberia Flag Day: August 24

Flag Day is a public holiday in Liberia.

A flag is not only the marker of a country, but its color and designs allow one to know about the past history and future of the country. Liberians come together on August 24 every year to celebrate Flag Day. It is a national holiday declared in Liberia to observe the making and the symbolic meaning of the Liberian national flag.

History of Flag Day in Liberia

On October 24, 1915, the president of the Republic of Liberia signed into law an act passed into law by the National Legislature, which announced that August 24 would be made a public holiday, offering the people of Liberia a chance to realize the national flag as a symbol of pride, fidelity, and dignity.

The flag offered for use was a bit altered from the previous flag. The number of stripes was decreased to 11, and a single white star was added. Some people go so far as to call the flag the Lone Star.

The blue field in the flag represents the continent of Africa while the white star on the blue field represents the freedom finally given to the slaves of the country. The 11 stripes signify the eleven signatories that brought Liberia independence and the framework of the constitution. The six red stripes show valor and the five white stripes represent purity.

Liberia’s Flag Day Traditions, Customs and Activities

Flag Day is a national holiday for Liberians. On this day, the Liberians come together to remember their country’s history and the flag that it represents. Parades are customary with children taking to the street carrying miniature flags in their hands.

Liberia Independence Day

Noel — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 05:35:20 +0000

Liberia Independence Day Date: July 26

Liberia Independence Day is a public holiday in Liberia.

The Independence Day is the day celebrated by the country to mark its freedom. The country gains independence after a lot of struggle. Once it gains freedom, it no more remains a part of any state or province. Independence Day is also a National Holiday. Liberia also celebrates the Independence Day on July 26.

Liberia Independence Day History

Liberia is a small county and known for its culture, tradition, academic institution, skills, arts and craft works. It is recovering back slowly from the effect of the civil war. The economy of the country is mainly dependent on agriculture, manufacturing, iron ore and rubber exports. During the war, the export on diamond and few more things were banned. The export of some other commodity could be done even during the war time due to a pact between Liberia’s warlords and foreign concessionaires. Looting in the Liberia has a bicameral legislature and a dual system of statutory law. When you are tried in the lower courts and if you are not convinced with the judgment given, then you can appeal in the Supreme Court, the highest judicial authority of Liberia headed by the Chief Justice. If you want to see and enjoy the events of the Liberia Independence Day, you should find sometime and visit Liberia on July 26.

July 26 is the Liberia Independence Day or national day of Liberia and a big day for the Liberians, as it is the one and only first black nation of Africa to get independence. This day is celebrated with a great joy amongst the Liberians and many other activities and competitions etc are held all throughout the day. Parades take place, children perform many activities, men and women all take an active part in the celebration and all of them together try their level best to make it memorable every year.

Liberia Independence Day Traditions and Activities

It was after 14 year of brutal civil war that the Liberia got its freedom and this day is one more opportunity of the people in Liberia to come together as one nation. The civil war commenced on 1989 and continues till fourteen years and ultimately ended in 2003. This day is marked in the calendar of Liberia as a national holiday. All schools, colleges, offices and banks are closed al the activities in an around Liberia are suspended and all come together to celebrate this day with a great rejoice and happiness.

Labour Day; May Day; Workers’ Day; Day of Kazak

Noel — Sun, 01 May 2011 06:00:14 +0000

May Day Date: May 1

May Day is celebrated throughout most of the world as a public holiday.

May 1 is considered as the Labour Day by almost all the nations of the world. The workers of the world celebrate this as an annual holiday. This day is the result of a massive labor union movement; this day celebrates the social and economic achievements of workers. This day is also known as May Day. Not only these two names, May 1 has many other names like Worker’s day, National Unification Day, Day of Kazak people’s Unity, Eid el-Ommal, etc.

History of May Day/Labour Day

The Eight-Hour day movement is the origin of the Labour Day. This movement advocated eight hours of work, eight hours of rest, and eight hours of recreation for workers everywhere. It was a revolution in that period.

In Europe, this day has a much older significance. This day is celebrated as a rural festival, which is primarily more important than the Labour Day movement. This is now an international holiday and various countries hold multi-day celebrations. Some of the countries conduct parades, patriotic and labour oriented events, and shows and other events on this day. On the other hand, in Northern Europe, Walpurgis Night is on this scheduled night, and this holiday combines with the Labour Day in some nations.

Although, May 1 is considered as the Labour Day in various nations, Germany celebrates it on May 2. In 1933, Labour Day was established as an official holiday after the Nazi Party came to power. It was expected that this day would prove to be the symbol of the newfound unity between the state and the people. The next day, that is on May 2, all the free unions were prohibited and outlawed by the Nazis. Yet, since workers celebrated the holiday for numerous decades before any official state approval, the Nazi Party’s endeavor to appropriate it left no more term offense.

Although this day has many names, but the essence of them all is the same – to honor the work force of the nation.

May Day/Labour Day Traditions and Celebrations

Time has changed; so the way of celebrating the day too. Throughout the rest of the world, there are May Day marches and rallies held out in the various part of the country. In England, a grand May Day march at the the famous Brewhouse Yard gardens starts near the Castle, Nottingham.

Even today celebration of May Day has a touch of ancient culture and tradition. The maypole is still one of the major features of the May festivities with distinctive interpretations. But whatever way you look at it the theme of the May Day celebration is all about celebrating the renewal of life with new hopes, new dreams and new resolutions. May Day flower baskets are made and treats are left at the thresholds of the loved ones as a token of good wishes and love to strengthen the bondage and to rekindle the lost touches.

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