"Liberia" is a Latin name which means "the Land of Freedom." The country was founded in the 1820's as a homeland for African-American slaves who had gained their freedom. In 1848 Liberia became an independent country with Jospeh Jenkins Roberts as the new nation's first president, thus making Liberia one of the very first African countries to achieve independence and freedom from outside colonial rulers. Ironically, of course, Liberia is currently a nation recovering from a civil war during which many of the freedoms alluded to in the name of the country were severely damaged.Liberia has just been through seven years of bitter civil warfare. Many businesses and public buildings were destroyed or heavily damaged, and things were so bad that many Liberians fled the country. As a result, Jefferson State has enrolled quite a few Liberians in recent years. These students have family names like Stubblefield, Thomas, and Williams and they speak a very easily understood dialect of English. After all, they are usually descendants of the freed American slaves who first settled in Liberia in the 1820's.
- The Perspective. Here is a site to get news from Liberia and to get news about Liberians living in the U.S.
- The Opposition Home Page. This page was put up by T. Q. Harris, the leader in America of the opponents of President Charles Taylor.
- What's Going On In Liberia. A quick overview of the current situation in Liberia.
- The Early History of Liberia. Pictures and text about Liberia in the early 1800's.
- Orientation to Liberia. Well-organized site with lots of links arranged in categories.
- What Liberians Eat. Recipes and Etiquette for Liberian Cuisine.
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Warren F. O'Rourke
Director of International Student Programs
Jefferson State Community College
2601 Carson Road
Birmingham, AL 35215
USA
international faxes to (205) 815-8499
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This page last revised on: November 23, 1999.
