Dessalines Day 2023: Date, Background, Facts

Dessalines Day is observed annually on October 17. Jean-Jacques Dessalines’ death anniversary is commemorated in Haiti with celebrations, parades, and historical reenactments of his life. It is a day to commemorate one of Haiti’s founding fathers, who played a pivotal role in the 1804 Haitian Revolution that led to the country’s independence.

The Background of Dessalines Day

In September 1758, Jean-Jacques Dessalines was born on a slave plantation in Grande Rivière du Nord, Saint Domingue. He laboured in the sugarcane fields for years until 1791, when he joined the slave revolt commanded by Jean Francois Papillon and Georges Biassou. He was promoted to lieutenant and enlisted to fight against the French colony of Saint-Domingue for the Spanish military. He met the military commander Toussaint Louverture, who was also born a slave. In 1794, when the French declared the abolition of slavery, they both sided with the French. By 1799, Dessalines had risen to the rank of brigadier general after battling the Spanish and the British for control of the lucrative Saint Domingue colony. Louverture assumed the position of general administrator of Saint Domingue.

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Napoleon Bonaparte dispatched an expedition commanded by General Charles Leclerc to retake the colony in 1802. Dessalines defeated the French with success, but Louverture was overthrown. When Bonaparte attempted to reinstate slavery in 1803, Dessalines and other black and mixed-race leaders rebelled. On January 1, 1804, he declared himself governor-general and expelled the French from Saint-Domingue. He proclaimed the island of Hispaniola’s independence and renamed it Haiti. In the same year, in September, he was crowned emperor on October 6.

He imposed harsh economic and military policies on the populace. He also ordered the confiscation of white inhabitants’ land and prohibited them from owning property. He launched a vicious campaign to execute all Caucasian island residents. Between 3,000 and 5,000 victims of all ages were affected. The mulatto elites of the country opposed his autocratic rule, and he was assassinated in 1806.

Five Interesting Facts About Dessalines Day

UNESCO recognises Joumou Soup as part of humanity’s intangible cultural heritage.

It is a significant aspect of their culture and the only nation that recognises voodoo in this manner.

This law does not require residency, so you can visit to obtain an overseas divorce.

Hospital Universitaire De Mirebalais was constructed following the 2010 earthquake.

The University of Haiti is regarded as one of the country’s most prestigious institutions.

DESSALINES DAY DATES