J.J. Roberts' Birthday in 2025

When is J.J. Robert's Birthday?

This national holiday is celebrated on 15th March each year.

The holiday marks the birth anniversary of J.J. Roberts, the first President of Liberia.

History of J.J. Robert's Birthday

Joseph Jenkins Roberts was born free in Norfolk, Virginia, USA on 15 March 1809.

The Republic of Liberia began as a settlement of the American Colonization Society (ACS), who believed black people would face better chances for freedom in Africa than in the United States. As part of this initiative, Roberts emigrated to Liberia in 1829.

When Liberia gained its independence from the US on 26 July 1847, Roberts was elected as the first president for the Republic of Liberia, serving until 1856. In 1872 he was elected again as Liberia's seventh president. Roberts died on 24 February 1876, less than two months after his second term had ended.

Did you know?

The current president of Liberia is George Weah, who was the FIFA World Player of the Year in 1995.

Each year, the current president of Liberia issues a proclamation for this national holiday as the Forty-Second Legislature enacted an Act declaring that the 15th March of each year, the Birth Anniversary of Joseph Jenkins Roberts is to be celebrated as a national holiday as a mark of respect and reverence to his memory and for his untiring efforts in organising the first Government of the Republic.

The annual proclamation also recognises the important role played by President Roberts in negotiating and concluding treaties with Foreign Powers, thus laying the foundation of the Liberian Nation.

The Proclamation continues, noting that it is befitting for such an honour to continue to be accorded the memory of this distinguished Statesman as a challenge to all Liberians to aspire to higher and nobler endeavours by emulating his courage, endurance, selflessness and commitments to the principles and ideals of democracy as portrayed in his works and life as the First President.