Liberia

Along with Ethiopia, Liberia was the only African nation to resist formal colonization by a European power during the Scramble for Africa.

In early 19th century, the American Colonization Society worked to allow free American slaves return to Africa.

Some emancipated slaves  choose to emigrate to an area in western Africa. The colony was originally named Monrovia in honor of President James Monroe These settlers declared the Republic of Liberia on July 26, 1847.

 They choose the name Liberia because it means "Land of the free" in Latin. They saw this as promised land where they could finally be free.

Liberia retained the name Monrovia for its capital city and it remains so today. Unfortunately, today Liberia is one of the world's poorest countries and has suffered through decades of civil war.