Liberia: History

Liberia becomes independent from the American Colonization Society.

Firestone Tyre and Rubber Company opens rubber plantation on land granted by government. Rubber production becomes the backbone of the economy.

The Liberian government is given aid by the Soviet Union.

Liberia signs a trade agreement with the European Economic Community.

The Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) sends a peacekeeping force to calm the uprisings that have been occurring in the past few years due to political tensions.

The UN Security Council lifts its ban on Liberian diamond exports, which took place in 2001.

The IMF and the World Bank devise a plan that will relieve Liberia of its heavy debt burden.

President Johnson Sirleaf dismisses the cabinet to start with a "clean slate".

Liberia closes its border with the Ivory Coast after UN peacekeepers are killed on the Ivorian side of the border. 

Liberia takes emergency measures to combat an Ebola outbreak. The U.S. contributes military personnel to West Africa as the World Health Organization declares this an international public health emergency. 

Liberia and West Africa are free of Ebola according to the UN.