MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Monrovia, Liberia

A P R O C L A M A T I O N BY THE PRESIDENT

WHEREAS, the Forefathers of this Nation, both Settler Migrants and Indigenous Chiefs, whose courage, fortitude and implicit faith in God, withstood the horrors of disease and deprivation, having passed through the Colonial period and threats of incursion by foreign invaders, with incomparable determination and fortitude, dedicated to the principles of liberty, freedom and justice, met in National Convention in the City of Monrovia in July, 1847, under the gavel of then Governor Joseph Jenkins Roberts of the Commonwealth; and,

WHEREAS, after due deliberations on the future of the Settlement facing colonial inundation or extinction, they did publish to the World that Historic and Immortal Instrument known as the DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, by which the Commonwealth became, and was presented to the Comity of Nations, as a Free, Sovereign and Independent State, thereby warding off intrusion from any colonial power and becoming the First African Republic to declare its Self Determination; and,  

WHEREAS, God in His infinite wisdom and mercy has blessed and prospered, the works of the minds, hearts and hands of the People of the Republic of Liberia, from thence, through the years of National Life, to the present, during which period, manifold and varied have been the experiences of the Government and Citizens who have remained undaunted, and have been able to overcome and forge their way forward by dint of perseverance, devotion, toil, and implicit confidence and faith in the true God; and,

WHEREAS, it is meet, right and our bounden duty, in grateful recognition of the blessings and miraculous deliverances which His Almighty Hand has extended to us as a Nation and People, although we have been most unworthy of them, to give thanks, adoration and praise unto Him for saving the State, and, to commemorate the brave and timely Decision of our Forebears on 26 July 1847; and,

WHEREAS, under the "PATRIOTIC OBSERVANCES LAW", Title 26, LIBERIAN CODE OF LAWS of 1956, the 26th Day of July each year is set aside as a Public Holiday, to be known as "INDEPENDENCE DAY" Anniversary, and to be appropriately celebrated:NOW, T

HEREFORE, I, ELLEN JOHNSON SIRLEAF, President of the Republic of Liberia, by virtue of the Authority in me vested, do hereby declare and proclaim the 26th day of July, 2009, a National Holiday; and do call upon All Citizens of this Republic, and all Foreign Residents within our borders, to observe the same as such, and require that all Government Offices and Business Houses be closed on this Day from six o’clock ante meridian to six o’clock post meridian.

Since 26 July 2009 falls on a Sunday, the Official Festive Celebration of the Day will be observed on Monday, 27 July 2009, in the City of Gbarnga, County of Bong, Republic of Liberia.

However, I call upon, adjure, invite and request all Citizens and Foreign Residents, within our midst, in solemn cooperation with all Prelates, Priests, Elders, Deacons, Evangelists and other Members of the Sacerdotal Order, regardless of Religious Creed, to gather together with One Purpose in their respective places of Worship, in each City, Town, Village, Hamlet, Home, especially in the City of Gbarnga, County of Bong, on their day of Worship, just preceding 27th July 2009, and turn to God in Thanksgiving and Praise for His blessings in the past and present times, and with solemn intercession, beseech Him for continuing goodness and beneficence toward all Peoples and Nations of the Earth, especially, the People of the Republic of Liberia.