Monrovia – The President of the Republic of Liberia, George Manneh Weah, has by Proclamation declared Wednesday, 14th March 2018 as “Decoration Day” and it is to be observed throughout the Republic as a National Holiday.
The Proclamation is in consonance with an Act of the Legislature, which was passed on October 24, 1916 declaring the Second Wednesday in March of each year as a “Decoration Day” to be celebrated throughout the Republic as a National Holiday.
A Foreign Ministry Release says the observance is in recognition of the nation’s past heroes and heroines, who have lived and died in the interest of their country.
The release says realizing that important historical events are to be constantly kept in the minds of its citizens, particularly the youth in order to inspire them to larger measures of service and patriotism, the Legislature of Liberia did approve and declare the Second Wednesday of March each year as a Decoration Day, to be observed as a National Holiday.
The Proclamation also indicated that it is befitting that a day be set aside to celebrate the memory of those blessed dead, who lived and died in the interest of the nation, thereby keeping ever alive their deeds and invaluable contributions made to society and the state, for onward march to progress.
The release further called on citizens and foreign residents within the territorial borders of Liberia to remember and cherish the love, affection, and constant joy and caring which existed between their deceased family members and friends who once lived so dearly with them before their death.
Meanwhile, the President of the Republic of Liberia, George Manneh Weah, has declared Thursday, March 15th, 2018 as the 209th Birth Anniversary of Liberia’s first President, Mr. Joseph Jenkins Roberts. The day is to be observed throughout the Republic as a National Holiday.
According to a Foreign Ministry release, the observance is in recognition of the invaluable sacrifices rendered by President Roberts as the Founding Father of Liberia.
The Proclamation recalled that the Forty-Second Legislature enacted an Act declaring the 15th March of each year as the Birth Anniversary of Joseph Jenkins Roberts, First President of the Republic of Liberia, to be celebrated as a National Holiday as a mark of respect and reverence to his memory and for his untiring efforts in organizing the first Government of the Republic.
The proclamation also recognizes the important role played by President Roberts in negotiating and concluding treaties with Foreign Powers, thus laying the foundation of the Liberian Nation.
A Foreign Ministry release says the Proclamation notes that it is befitting for such honor to continue to be accorded the memory of this distinguished Statesman as a challenge to all Liberians to aspire to higher and nobler endeavors by emulating his courage, endurance, selflessness and commitments to the principles and ideals of democracy as portrayed in his works and life as our First President.