Liberian Film Festival at DC Public Library

(Image source: CIA World Fact Book)

Liberia's national moto is "The love of liberty brought us here." The country was founded in 1847 by free American Africans, a growing population in the US, due to abolition in the North and manumission, who chose to emigrate to Liberia with the support of the American Colonization. Since Americo-Liberian settlers declared the independence of the Republic of Liberia, the nation has had a unique relationship with the United States government and business interest. President William Tubman administration from 1944-71 promoted foreign investment and attempted bridge the economic, social, and political gaps between the descendants of the original settlers and the inhabitants of the interior. In 1980, a military coup led by Samuel Doe ushered in a decade of authoritarian rule. In December 1989, Charles Taylor launched a rebellion against Doe's regime that led to a prolonged civil war. Presently, the nation is working to rebuild itself after this period of civil unrest

In honor of the 162nd anniversary of the foundation of Liberia, the DC Public Library will present the following films:

Liberia: America’s Stepchild July 15, 2009
Liberia: An Uncivil War July 22, 2009
Iron Ladies of Liberia July 29, 2009

The films document the nation's history, the civil unrest the 1990s, and conclude with efforts to rebuild the nation by the present administration of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the first female president of an African nation.

The films will begin on Wednesdays at Noon in the East Lobby on the Second Floor of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G Street NW.

If you would like to learn more about Liberia on the Internet check out the CIA World FactBook and the U.S. Department of State Liberia page.

You can search the DC Public Library catalog and online databases for resources related to the resettlement of free African Americans to Africa and Liberian history, government and politics.