28/07/2026
โNever Be Ashamed of Your Historyโ National Orator Calls on Liberians to Claim Their Shared Inheritance
Monday, July 28,, 2026
Unification Pavilion, Buchanan, Grand Bassa County: Dr. Herbert Brewer has called on Liberians to reclaim their history as a source of national identity, unity, and purpose, urging citizens to reject narratives that diminish the nationโs past and instead embrace it as the foundation for building a stronger future.
Delivering the independence message as National Orator during Liberiaโs 179th Independence Day Celebration at the Unification Pavilion on the Fairground, in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, Dr. Brewer centered his address on the national theme, โStrengthening National Identity Through Liberian-Led Historical Narratives,โ stating that Liberiaโs history remains one of the countryโs greatest national assets and an indispensable foundation for democratic statehood, civic responsibility, and national renewal.
Addressing President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung, senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, traditional leaders, religious leaders, development partners, and citizens from across the country, Dr. Brewer described Liberiaโs independence as a defining moment not only in the nationโs history but also in world history, noting that the declaration of July 26, 1847, demonstrated to the international community that people of African descent possessed both the right and the capacity to govern themselves through a modern constitutional state. He said the significance of Liberiaโs independence continues to resonate across Africa and the global African diaspora.
Reflecting on Liberiaโs historical evolution, Dr. Brewer acknowledged the nationโs triumphs and failures, its moments of unity and division, and the challenges that have shaped successive generations. He maintained that understanding history requires examining the circumstances under which decisions were made rather than judging the past solely through the lens of the present, emphasizing that every generation bears the responsibility of strengthening the Republic it inherits.
The National Orator also highlighted the contributions of Indigenous communities, returning descendants of Africa, and early nation-builders whose diplomacy, cooperation, and shared vision helped establish and preserve Liberiaโs sovereignty. He said the Republicโs survival through periods of external pressure, political transformation, and national crisis remains a testament to the resilience of the Liberian people.
Dr. Brewer further reminded Liberians that the countryโs history extends beyond the founding of the Republic, narrating that long before the declaration of independence, the land was home to thriving African societies with established systems of governance, commerce, diplomacy, and justice. He said acknowledging this broader historical foundation reinforces the understanding that Liberiaโs identity was shaped by generations of people whose contributions remain an integral part of the nationโs story.
The 179th Independence National Orator emphasized that the Republic was built through cooperation among diverse peoples and communities, describing Liberia as the product of shared aspirations, mutual sacrifice, and collective leadership. He however noted that the nationโs continued progress depends on preserving that spirit of inclusion, encouraging Liberians to rise above differences and strengthen the bonds that unite them as one people with a common destiny.
Calling history a guide for national transformation rather than a record of past events, Dr. Brewer urged citizens to preserve and expand Liberiaโs historical memory for future generations; emphasizing that every generation has a responsibility to deepen the nationโs understanding of its past while advancing the ideals of freedom, self-governance, democracy, and unity that have sustained the Republic for 179 years, adding that safeguarding the countryโs history is essential to securing its future.
Pointing to Liberiaโs endurance as one of only two African states to retain internationally recognized sovereignty during the era of the Scramble for Africa, Dr. Brewer said the countryโs survival was secured not only through diplomacy and leadership but also through the sacrifices and choices of countless Liberians whose contributions deserve lasting recognition in the nationโs historical narrative.
Speaking directly to young Liberians, the National Orator challenged them to inherit not only the countryโs territory, Constitution, and national symbols, but also the memory, sacrifices, and values that have sustained the Republic for generations. He encouraged them to preserve and build upon that legacy for those who will inherit the nation after them.
Dr. Brewer declared, โNever be ashamed of your history; it is a shared inheritance. Claim it. Be proud of it.โ He said Liberiaโs history belongs to every citizen, embracing both its achievements and its shortcomings, and argued that only a people willing to confront their past honestly can build a more united, confident, and prosperous future.
Concluding his address, Liberiaโs 179th Independence orator said patriotism is measured not by whether a generation inherits a perfect Republic, but by whether it leaves behind a nation stronger than the one it received. Dr. Brewer appealed to Liberians to preserve the countryโs historical memory, honor the sacrifices of previous generations, strengthen national unity, and remain committed to building a peaceful, democratic, and inclusive Liberia.
The 179th Independence Day celebration brought together senior government officials, members of the Legislature and Judiciary, traditional and religious leaders, members of the diplomatic and consular corps, development partners, and citizens from across Liberia and abroad to commemorate the nationโs independence and renew their collective commitment to national unity, peace, and sustainable development.
