On the tenth day of Christmas

On the tenth day of Christmas

My true love gave to me

Ten lords-a-leaping

Nine ladies dancing, eight maids-a-milking

Seven swans-a-swimming, six geese-a-laying

Five golden rings, four calling birds

Three French, two doves

And a partridge in a pear tree.

Joseph Jenkins Roberts was sworn in on Jan. 3, 1848 as the first president of Liberia. Born in Norfolk, Va., Roberts emigrated to Liberia in 1829.

Beginning in 1820, the west coat region was colonized by freed American slaves with the help of the American Colonization Society, a private organization that believed ex-slaves would have greater freedom and equality in Africa. Slaves freed from slave ships were also sent there instead of being repatriated to their countries of origin.

In 1847, these colonists founded the Republic of Liberia, establishing a government modeled on that of the United States and naming the capital city Monrovia after U.S. President James Monroe, a prominent supporter of the colonization.

Please note that Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who is the first and only elected female head of state in Africa, is the current President of Liberia!