On May 18th, Haitians across the globe stand tall beneath a flag that is more than just cloth and color — it is the symbol of our freedom, our fight, our unbreakable spirit. Haitian Flag Day is not just a celebration. It is a declaration to the world: that Haiti may bend, but it will never break.
This sacred date, born from rebellion and sewn with purpose, reminds us every year of the boldness of our ancestors and the brilliance of their vision. It tells the story of a people who refused to be enslaved. And in the hands of a courageous woman named Catherine Flon, that story was stitched into history.
The Birth of the Haitian Flag: A Moment of Defiance
The Haitian flag was created on May 18, 1803, at the Congress of Arcahaie, as revolutionary leaders prepared to launch their final blow against French colonial rule. It was on that day that Jean-Jacques Dessalines, one of Haiti’s greatest liberators, made a symbolic and radical gesture.
He took the French tricolor — blue, white, and red — and ripped out the white stripe, representing the rejection of the colonizers, of slavery, of domination. He then asked his goddaughter, Catherine Flon, a proud Haitian woman, to sew together the remaining blue and red bands — blue for the Black citizens, red for the people of mixed ancestry — symbolizing the unity of the people in their fight for freedom.
That flag became the soul of a nation not yet born, but already alive with the fire of liberty. It is the very first symbol of Black independence in the world.
“Haitian man proudly raising the flag at sunset, symbolizing unity and resilience”
Catherine Flon: The Seamstress of Revolution
Catherine Flon’s name must be spoken with reverence. She was not just a seamstress — she was a heroine of the revolution, trusted with the creation of a symbol that would represent a break from tyranny and the birth of hope.
Her needle wove together not only fabric but an unspoken vow between the generations: that Haiti will always rise, no matter how many times it is pushed down.
A Nation Celebrates: Unity in Music, Color, and Spirit
Every May 18th, Haitians come alive. In every town and city, marching bands echo through the streets, children wave flags in vibrant parades, and voices lift up in songs of pride. The sound of conch shells, drums, trumpets, and traditional “banda” music fills the air — an anthem of resilience that never grows old.
In churches, the Te Deum is sung — a solemn hymn of praise and thanksgiving, offered in remembrance of our ancestors’ victory and in hope for the nation’s healing.
Schools organize performances, cultural exhibitions, and flag-raising ceremonies where students dress in the national colors — blue and red — with heads held high.
Diaspora communities around the world also take part in celebrations, organizing festivals, concerts, and educational forums to teach younger generations about the importance of this powerful day.
This isn’t just a holiday. It is a sacred promise.
The Haitian National Anthem
No celebration of our flag is complete without the Haitian National Anthem, a song of defiance, dignity, and devotion to our beloved land.
La Dessalinienne
Chant National d’Haïti
Pour le pays, pour les ancêtres,
Marchons unis, marchons unis.
Dans nos rangs point de traîtres.
Du sol soyons seuls maîtres.
Marchons unis, marchons unis
Pour le pays, pour les ancêtres.
Pour les Aïeux, pour la Patrie
Béchons joyeux, bechons joyeux.
Quand le champ fructifie
L’âme se fortifie.
Béchons joyeux, béchons joyeux
Pour les Aïeux, pour la Patrie.
Pour le pays et pour nos pères
Formons des fils, formons des fils
Libres, forts et prospères.
Toujours nous serons fiers.
Formons des fils, formons des fils
Pour le pays et pour nos pères.
Pour les Aïeux, pour la Patrie
Marchons, marchons, marchons unis.
Dans nos rangs point de traîtres
Du sol soyons seuls maîtres.
Marchons unis, marchons unis
Pour les Aïeux, pour la Patrie.
More Than a Flag — A Flame That Still Burns
The Haitian flag is not a relic of the past. It is a living force, carried by every Haitian who dares to dream, to resist, and to rebuild.
Today, Haiti faces unimaginable challenges — from gang violence to political instability to hunger. But we carry within us the same fire that roared in Dessalines, in Catherine Flon, in our enslaved ancestors who refused to bow.
Our flag is not a symbol of despair. It is a battle cry. It tells the world, “We are here. We are Haitians. And we will not surrender.”
Let it fly higher than ever before.
Let every child know what it stands for.
Let every Haitian walk with its colors beating in their chest.
Our lighthouse shines, brighter than ever. The world will see it. Haiti will rise.
Viv drapo Ayiti! Viv endepandans nou! Viv Ayiti!
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