Happy Haitian Flag Day!
Today, May 18, 2025, we celebrate the 222nd anniversary of the Haitian flag — a powerful symbol of freedom, resilience, and the unyielding strength of the Haitian people.
More than just colors sewn together, the Haitian flag tells the story of a revolutionary spirit that changed the course of history. The national motto, “L’Union fait la Force” (With Unity, There is Strength), is not just a slogan — it is the heartbeat of our nation and the legacy we continue to carry.
In May 1803, at the historic Congress of Arcahaie, leaders from across backgrounds came together. From formerly enslaved revolutionaries like Jean-Jacques Dessalines to free men of color like Alexandre Pétion, they stood united with one mission: freedom. Their alliance lit the fire of the only successful slave revolution in world history, leading to the birth of the first Black republic — Haiti.
In a symbolic and radical gesture, Dessalines tore the white from the French flag, signaling the end of colonial rule. It was Catherine Flon, his goddaughter, who then sewed together the blue and red — merging the ideals, dreams, and strength of a people into one unbreakable symbol.
On January 1, 1804, Haiti declared its independence, defying every odd and becoming a beacon of freedom, self-determination, and pride.
222 Years Later, the Spirit Lives On
As we raise our flag high today — in Haiti and across the diaspora — we do more than remember. We honor, we reflect, and we recommit ourselves to the future of our beloved Haiti.
The Haitian flag is a promise — to ourselves, to our ancestors, and to the next generation — that unity, perseverance, and love will always light the way forward.
Haiti is more than history. It is our shared legacy, our shared responsibility, and our shared hope. And together, through continued courage and unwavering commitment, we believe:
Haiti’s future must be bright — because it belongs to all of us.
Happy Haitian Flag Day. Nou la. Nou fyè.
