Liberia on Tuesday, November 29, 2025, observed the national holiday honoring the birth of President William V.S. Tubman, the country’s longest-serving head of state and a figure widely regarded as the “father of modern Liberia.”
The U.S. Embassy near Monrovia issued a statement recognizing Tubman’s enduring influence on the nation’s political, social, and economic landscape.
Tubman, who served from 1944 until his death in 1971, is credited with ushering in transformative reforms that expanded suffrage, promoted national unity, and strengthened Liberia’s ties across the African continent.
During his presidency, Liberia experienced significant infrastructure expansion and a period of intensified international engagement.
Tubman’s “Open Door Policy” encouraged foreign investment and positioned Liberia as a central diplomatic voice in early Pan-African initiatives.
The Embassy noted that the United States “joins the people of Liberia in commemorating this historic day and celebrating the lasting ties between our two nations,” underscoring the long-standing diplomatic relationship between Monrovia and Washington.
As Liberians marked the holiday with ceremonies and community activities, national leaders and historians reflected on Tubman’s complex but influential legacy—one that continues to shape debates about development, governance, and identity in modern Liberia.
