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May is Haitian Heritage Month
The month of May carries distinctive dates that are important to Haitians and people of Haitian descent. As a result, Haitian Heritage Month has been celebrated in Massachusetts since 1999 and in Florida since 2001.
Wherever you are, we urge you to celebrate it as well.
Key Dates to Remember During Haitian Heritage Month:
May 1st Labor and Agriculture Day
May 15-18, 1803 Traditional rivals Jean-Jacques Dessalines, leader of the Blacks and Alexandre Petion, leader of the Mulattos met in the city of Arcahaie and agreed to fight as a united front against Napoleon Bonaparte's colonial army. This pact sealed the fate of the French rule in Haiti and led to the creation of the first Black Republic in the world in 1804.
May 18, 1803 Creation of the official blue and red Haitian flag by the Haitian leaders at the end of the congress of Arcahaie.
May 20, 1743 Haitian General Toussaint Louverture, later known as the first of the Blacks, was born. Between 1771 and 1803, he successfully initiated the first organized large-scale military battles against the Spanish, British and French armies. Although he was ultimately captured in an ambush and died in France, his vision and actions paved the way for his generals to successfully lead the country to independence.
Last Sunday of May Mother’s Day Celebration
National Haitian Heritage Month Recognition and Proclamations:
- Recognized by Massachusetts U.S. Senator John F. Kerry in May 2004
- Recognized by Florida U.S. Congressman Kendrick B. Meek who will reintroduce a resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives to establish the month of May as Haitian-American Heritage Month in the United States
- Recognized by Massachusetts Governor Argeo Paul Cellucci in May 2000
- Proclaimed in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts by:
Governor Argeo Paul Cellucci in May 2001
Governor Jane Swift in May 2002
Governor Mitt Romney in May 2003, 2004 and 2005
- Recognized by the Massachusetts State Senate in May 2003 and 2004
_ Recognized by the Massachusetts House of Representatives in May 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004
- Proclaimed in the City of Boston by Mayor Thomas M. Menino in May 2002
- Recognized by the Boston City Council in May 2002 and 2004
- Supported by Cambridge, Massachusetts Mayor Sullivan and the Cambridge City Council in May 2002
- Proclaimed and first celebrated in Miami-Dade County by Mayor Alex Penelas in May 2001
- Recognized by the School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida in May 2004
- Supported by the School Board of Broward County, Florida in May 2004
- Celebrated by the Republican Party of Florida in May 2004
- Celebrated by “Alliance Francaise de Miami” in May 2003
- Has appeared in the May section of the annual, well-known book: “Chase’s Calendar of Events” since 2002
Prepared and respectfully submitted to you by
The Haitian-Americans United, Inc. (H.A.U.) of Boston, Massachusetts.
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