The National Bicentennial celebration which kicked-off on January 7, 2022 by President George Manneh Weah has released key events leading to and after the official launch of the events on February 14, 2022.
The Bicentennial Commemoration is being held under the theme, “Liberia: The Land of Return – Commemorating 200 Years of Freedom and Pan-African Leadership” while the slogan is, “The Lone Star Forever, Stronger Together.”
According to the Steering Committee, the Government of Liberia’s year-long commemoration is in observance of 200 years of the country’s establishment which began officially on January 7, 1822 when some 86 free slaves arrived from the United States of America in what is today called Liberia.
On January 7, the Bicentennial Commemoration officially commenced on the Providence Island where the free American slaves disembarked from Ship Elizabeth200 years ago and on February 14, President Weah will officially launch the Bicentennial Celebration at the Samuel K. Doe Sports Stadium where a cultural festival is expected to take place.
The SKD Sports Stadium events will be followed by a Heads of State Summit at the Executive Mansion Ground at 3:00pm and a Grand Bicentennial Dinner Ceremony at 6:00pm.
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 and there will also be a National Muslim Prayer Day at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium on February 11.
According to the statement released by Assistant Minister for Public Affairs at the Ministry of Information, Jarlawah A. Tonpo, who is also the Chairperson on the Sub-Committee on Communications for the event, on Sunday, February 13, the Bicentennial Commemoration will be taken to the Executive Mansion Grounds for a National Christian Thanksgiving Service.
The celebrations also extend to February 15-16, respectively with the University of Liberia Founder’s Day International Conference which is organized by the University and the Bicentennial Steering Committee.
These activities signify important historical milestones achieved by the country since it was founded in 1822 by free people of African descent and their patrons from the United States.