Historically, students in Haiti learn that on May 18th, 1803, in a congress held at Arachaie, a township located about fifty miles north of Port-au-Prince, Dessalines created the country’s first flag. Ripping apart a French one — blue, white and red, he threw away the white portion that was in the center and asked Catherine Flon, a young girl of the area, to sew the remaining ones.
Max G. Beauvoir, “The Colors of the Flags in Haiti,” Vodou.org (2000)
Its red and blue colors have long symbolized strength, the coming together of two separate groups of freedom fighters, joining forces in their quest to become the first independent black nation.
Jacqueline Charles, “Haitians will mark the birth of their nation,” Miami Herald (May 17, 2010)
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May 18th: Haitian Flag Day: http://t.co/rof7zowx #haiti
Happy Haitian Flag Day! Long live independence and self-determination!!
#builtweeksville… http://t.co/1kvUYChz
May 18th: Haitian Flag Day: http://t.co/wGgSb0uU via @public_archive
may 18 1803 Dessalines commissions 1st Haitian flag: the beginning of slavery’s end in the western world #haiti http://t.co/6SUuKD5M
“Dessalines created the country’s 1st flag. Ripping apart a French one – blue, white and red, he threw away the white…” http://t.co/iM2uKyVy