Liberia, situated in West Africa, is a nation with a rich and complex history. It was founded in 1820 by free people of color from the United States who sought a land of their own, away from the racial discrimination they experienced in America. The emigration to Liberia was organized by the American Colonization Society (ACS). However, the settlement of Liberia was not without its challenges. The mortality rate among the early settlers was alarmingly high, making it the highest among settlements recorded during that time. Despite the difficulties, Liberia declared its independence on July 26, 1847, with Joseph Jenkins Roberts becoming the country’s first black governor and later the first president. Throughout the years, Liberia maintained its independence during the Scramble for Africa, but also stayed under the influence of the United States. The economy of Liberia revolved around the exploitation of natural resources, particularly the rubber industry dominated by the Firestone Company. Additionally, the country experienced political control by the Americo-Liberians, the descendants of the original African-American settlers, until 1980 when a violent overthrow led to two devastating civil wars. Today, Liberia stands as a nation in the process of reconstruction and progress under the leadership of its current president, George Weah.