Liberia Timeline
A chronology of key events in Liberia's history. Part 1 - 1460s to 1990.
| 1460s | Portuguese traders arrive along the Grain Coast (now Liberia). |
| 1820 | The Elizabeth Sails from New York for West Africa - the American Colonization Society (its full name was the American Society for Colonizing the Free People of Color of the United States) arranged for its first wave of colonizers to head for what is now Liberia (6 February). |
| 1821 | Liberated US slaves and Freemen are settled along the coast by the American Colonization Society. |
| 1847 | Liberia becomes an independent state (26 July). Its constitution is based on that of the United States of America. Joseph J Roberts, a freed man born in Virginia, becomes its first president. |
| 1890s | In response to the Scramble for Africa by European powers, especially Britain and France, the Liberian government formally designates the country's boundaries. |
| 1915 | Indigenous peoples rise up against Americo-Liberians. |
| 1917 | The Allies have access to a base in West Africa after Liberia declares war on Germany. |
| 1926 | Liberian government grants land to the Firestone Tyre and Rubber Company. Rubber becomes Liberia's main cash crop. |
| 1936 | Liberian government takes action against force labor. |
| 1944 | William VS Tubman of the True Whig Party becomes president (3 January). |
| As with World War I, the Allies once again gain a base in West Africa when Liberia declares war on Germany. | |
| 1951 | Indigenous land owners and women gain the franchise. |
| 1951 | Liberian government legislates against racial discrimination. |
| 1960 | Liberia becomes a 'flag of convenience' for international shippers.. |
| 1971 | President William VS Tubman dies on office, he is succeeded by William Richard Tolbert (23 July). |
| 1974 | Political ties are forged with the Soviet Union, who in return provides Liberia with aid. |
| 1974 | A trade agreement is signed between Liberia and the European Economic Community. |
| 1979 | Rioting starts against Americo-Liberian supremacy after severe price rises for rice. |
| 1980 | President William Richard Tolbert of the True Whig Party is assassinated along with 13 of his aides. Master sergeant Samuel Kanyon Doe assumes power as Chairman of the People's Redemption Council in a military coup (12 April). |
| 1984 | Doe's government agrees to the return of party politics in Liberia after international pressure from the US and other major creditors. |
| Samuel Kanyon Doe declares himself president ahead of general elections (25 July). | |
| 1986 | Samuel Kanyon Doe wins elections and is officially declared president (6 January). |
| 1989 | Gankay Charles Taylor's National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL) begins a rebellion against Doe's government. |
| 1990 | Civil war erupts - Samuel Doe's Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) are challenged by two rebel groups, the National Patriotic Front of Liberia (Taylor's NPFL) and the Independent National Patriotic Front of Liberia (INPFL). The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) peace keeping force ECOMOG is sent into the country to help restore order, with backing from Ghana and Nigeria. |
| Samuel Doe is assassinated by a section of the NPFL (9 September). Liberia's various warlords, including Charles Taylor, vie for leadership. | |
| Amos Claudius Sawyer becomes acting president for an Interim Government of National Unity (22 November) with the support of ECOWAS and the NPFL. |
Liberia Timeline Continued
• Part 2 - 1992 to 2007
Brief History of Liberia
• Part 1 - Colonization to Civil War
• Part 2 - Civil War to Present Day
More on the History of Chad
• Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf
