The Liberian flag bears a striking resemblance to the American flag

The Liberian flag bears a striking resemblance to the American flag, a visual reminder of the historically close ties between this West African country and the United States

Eleven horizontal stripes — six red and five white — represent the signers of the Liberian Declaration of Independence, while the single white star that sits in the flag's upper left corner signifies Liberia's former position as the sole free black state in Africa

Flag Day, a patriotic day paying homage to Liberia's national emblem, is an official public holiday

Citizens and public buildings display their flags, and parades often feature schoolchildren and military units

The holiday was first observed in an 1847 convention, when the founding fathers approved the flag's design along with establishing the new republic