Berlin, Germany; February 9, 2022: Momentum has begun for activities leading to the Bicentennial Celebration, marking 200 years since the first black American settlers under the American Colonization Society (ACS) landed from the United States of America on the soil in 1822, which lead to the founding of the Republic of Liberia.
On January 7, 2022, President George Manneh Weah officially kicked off the Bicentennial Commemoration on Providence Island where the free American slaves 200 years ago disembarked from Ship Elizabeth.
Several events are planned throughout 2022 to December 10, 2022. February is expected to be action-packed with several activities taking place in Monrovia, with the President of the Republic, Dr. George Manneh Weah, officially launching the Bicentennial Celebration on February 14 at the Samuel K. Doe Sports Stadium where a Cultural Festival will also take place.
The SKD Sports Stadium events will be followed by a Heads of State Summit at the Executive Mansion Ground at 3:00 pm and a Grand Bicentennial Dinner Ceremony at 6:00 pm.
Prior to the February 14 events, the Bicentennial Commemoration will be factored into this year’s Armed Forces Day celebration on Friday, February 11 at the Barclay Training Center. There will also be a National Muslim Prayer Day at the Antionette Tubman Stadium on February 11.
According to the Statement, on Sunday, February 13, the Bicentennial Commemoration will be taken to the Executive Mansion Grounds for a National Christian Thanksgiving Service.
The celebrations continue on February 15 and 16 with the University of Liberia Founder’s Day International Conference which is organized by the University and the Bicentennial Steering Committee.
The theme for the bicentennial celebration is is “Liberia: The Land of Return – Commemorating 200 Years of Freedom and Pan-African Leadership” while the slogan is “The Lone Star Forever, Stronger Together.”
The theme and slogan are designed to support the objectives of the Bicentennial Commemoration, which are to celebrate Liberia’s rich cultural heritage; to showcase the country’s tourism and investment opportunities; to reunite and reconnect African Americans in the United States and other blacks within the diaspora to their cultural identity in Liberia.
To ensure the success of the Bicentennial Commemoration, His Excellency, President George Manneh Weah of the Republic of Liberia, is calling on all Liberians, the local and international partners, and the diaspora communities to participate in this historic event to celebrate 200 years of the founding of the country by free people of African descent from the United State and other parts of the world, including the Caribbean and Europe; and the level of freedom and Pan-African leadership that the country has enjoyed while showcasing the country as an ideal destination for tourism and investment.
The Embassy of Liberia, Germany with co-accredited countries is excited to welcome Africans in the Diaspora Home to mark the bicentennial of a movement that began on February 6, 1822. Celebrating 200 years of resettlement by inviting over 500,000 Africans in the Diaspora to the most extraordinary Reunion ever as we introduce Liberia destination.