History
1 January 1804: the birth of the first Black republic
In Gonaïves, after thirteen years of struggle, a people who had freed themselves declared a new nation.
Blog
Culture, people, history, and politics: Haiti in its own words.
People
The women of the Haitian Revolution
A priestess, a seamstress, two soldiers, and a nurse: five women without whom the story of 1804 is incomplete.
People
Pétion and Bolívar: how Haiti helped free South America
In 1816 a defeated Simón Bolívar landed in Haiti with nothing. President Pétion gave him ships, weapons, and one condition.
History
Vertières, 18 November 1803: the last battle
Outside Cap-Français, the army of formerly enslaved people defeated Napoleon’s troops and opened the road to independence.
History
Bois Caïman, 14 August 1791: the night the revolution began
In a forest on the northern plain, enslaved leaders swore an oath. A week later the richest colony in the world was on fire.
Culture
Jacmel: city of carnival and craft
On the southern coast, a town of artists builds giant papier-mâché masks and throws one of the Caribbean’s most original carnivals.
Culture
Kreyòl: the language that unites a nation
Spoken by every Haitian, shaped by Africa and France, and rich in proverbs: the story of Haitian Creole.
People
Jean-Jacques Dessalines: the man who declared Haiti free
Born enslaved, he led the final campaign of the revolution and gave the new nation its name.
History
18 May 1803: Catherine Flon and the birth of the flag
At Arcahaie, a strip of white was torn away and two colors were sewn together. Haiti has celebrated Flag Day ever since.
Legacy
The Citadelle: a fortress built by free people
High above the northern plain, the Citadelle Laferrière was built so that slavery could never return to Haiti.
Haiti today
Live headlines from our sister newsroom, Le Soulouquois.
News from Haiti
- Trump lists Haiti among “terror-infested” countries at a Georgia rallyLibya summoned a U.S. diplomat in protest. No reaction from Haiti’s government has been reported.
- Heavy rain cuts roads in the South, Grand’Anse and Northwest
- Electoral council reports 878,217 registered voters and 4,577 candidates
- Inter American Press Association calls press freedom in Haiti “critical”
- Interior ministry reviews the needs of La Gonâve island
Culture and legacy
- Painter Pierre-Sylvain Augustin, known as Payas, dies at 84A farmer and then a mason, he took up painting late, in 1992, alongside a master of the Saint-Soleil movement.
- Foreign ministry honors Lucienne Heurtelou Estimé, Haiti’s first woman ambassador
- 100 years ago, HHK brought radio to Haiti
- Culture ministry plans work at Bwa Kayiman and a book honoring the Grenadiers
- Haitian Creole Academy marks Creole Language and Culture Month