The President Michel Martelly, will lay a wreath of flowers at the foot of the Monument of Emperor Jean-Jacques Dessalines at Pont Rouge, Wednesday, Oct. 17, at 7:00 am, on the occasion of the commemoration of the 206th anniversary of the death of the Founder of the Haitian fatherland.

In addition, the President will preside at the National Palace, at 9:30 am, the Multisectoral Dialogue with Youth around the Haitian education.

Poem "Dessalines" by Ignace Nau

"Dessalines, à ce nom, ami, découvrons-nous !

Je me sens le cœur battre à fléchir les genoux

Et jaillir à ce nom un sang chaud dans mes veines.

Suspendez vos plaisirs, recueillez votre cœur,

Songez à nos héros, songez à l'Empereur !

Et Jean-Jacques, semblable à quelque esprit de Dieu,

Dicta l'indépendance à la lueur du feu !..."

Learn more about Jean-Jacques Dessalines

Jean-Jacques Dessalines was born September 20, 1758, was first slaves in Santo Domingo. Then, during the disorders that lead to the independence of the island, he became lieutenant of Toussaint Louverture in October 1802 and organized the mutiny of the army of Santo Domingo against Napoleon's expedition. He fought the mulatto general André Rigaud and French General Charles Leclerc. In 1803 he managed to defeat the French at the Battle of Vertières, and on January 1st, 1804 Dessalines proclaimed the independence of Haiti. He made himself, initially, Governor General for life, then first Emperor of Haiti (1804-1806) under the name of Jacques 1st. On October 17th, 1806, Jean-Jacques Dessalines was assassinated to Pont-Rouge.

HL/ HaitiLibre