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Flag of Liberia facts for kids

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Flag of Liberia
The national flag of Liberia.

The Liberian flag is the national flag of Liberia, a country in West Africa. It looks a lot like the United States flag, but it has some important differences. The Liberian flag has 11 stripes, which are red and white. It also has a blue square in the top left corner with a single white star. This flag is a very important symbol for the people of Liberia.

What Do the Colors and Star Mean?

Each part of the Liberian flag has a special meaning. The colors and the star tell a story about Liberia's history and its hopes for the future.

The Stripes

The flag has 11 horizontal stripes. Six of these stripes are red, and five are white. These 11 stripes stand for the 11 people who signed Liberia's Declaration of Independence. They were brave leaders who helped create the country.

  • Red: The red color in the stripes represents the courage and bravery of the people. It also reminds everyone of the blood shed by those who fought for Liberia's freedom.
  • White: The white color stands for purity and peace. It shows that Liberia wants to live in peace and that its people have good intentions.

The Blue Square and White Star

In the top left corner of the flag, there is a blue square. Inside this blue square is a single white star.

  • Blue: The blue square represents the African continent. It also stands for the Atlantic Ocean, which brought the first settlers to Liberia.
  • White Star: The single white star is a very important symbol. It means that Liberia was the only independent country in Africa when it was founded. It was like a shining star, showing the way for other African nations to become free.

How Is It Like the American Flag?

Many people notice that the Liberian flag looks very similar to the American flag. This is not a coincidence! Liberia was founded by freed slaves from the United States. These people traveled across the ocean to create a new home where they could be free.

Because of this history, they designed their flag to look like the flag of the country they came from. It was a way to honor their past while building a new future. However, the Liberian flag has 11 stripes instead of 13, and only one star instead of 50. These differences show that Liberia is its own unique nation.

When Was the Flag Adopted?

The Liberian flag was officially adopted on August 24, 1847. This was just a month after Liberia declared its independence on July 26, 1847. A committee of seven women designed the flag. They worked hard to create a symbol that would represent their new nation.

The flag has been used ever since then. It flies proudly across the country, showing Liberia's independence and its strong connection to its history.

Where Can You See the Flag?

You can see the Liberian flag flying in many places. It is flown at government buildings, schools, and homes throughout Liberia. It is also seen on Liberian ships that travel all over the world. When a ship flies the Liberian flag, it means it is registered in Liberia. This is a common practice for many ships globally.

The flag is a constant reminder of Liberia's journey to freedom and its place in the world.

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