"This November 18, we commemorate the Battle of Vertières after which arose in the face of humanity, the first independent black republic in the world. 210 years later, it is necessary to put us at the height of sacrifices made by the brave founder of the Haitian Nation by prioritizing unity, understanding and dialogue,

in order to promote the sustainable development of our country. Peace and stability are essential pillars on which should be based the joint work of reconstruction of our dear Haiti for ages torn by fratricidal struggles and sterile," declared President Michel Martelly on his Facebook page.

This Monday morning in Port-au-Prince, it was still the calm before the protests began, very little commercial activity was visible. In Cap Haitien many police officers and specialized forces were deployed in anticipation of popular movements announced. https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-9890-haiti-social-monday-a-day-at-high-risk.html

Note that probably because of the planned events and for safety reasons, the displacements of Head of State and Prime Minister for the activities to commemorate the 210th anniversary of the Battle of Vertières are not yet precisely known.

A little history :

The Battle of Vertières (Northern Haiti) is the last battle of the indigenous army against the powerful French army of Napoleon Bonaparte. It opposed the troops (about 2,000 men) commanded by French General Donatien to the indigenous independentist army of General Jean-Jacques Dessalines (about 27,000 men, including the 9th Brigade of commanded by François Capois), who won the final victory, forcing Rochambeau to capitulate.

November 18, 1803, General Dessalines ordered to take the fort de Vertières, located on a hill next to the city of Cap-Haitien. François Capois aka Capois-la-Mort commanded a half-brigade which was partly decimated by gunfire from the fort. He made a another assault, but his men were still broke at the foot of the hill by shrapnel. Capois ran to get reinforcements and for the third time, he threw his forces to attack the fort in vain and leaving again many deaths. In the fourth attack, the horse of Capois was hit by a cannon ball, down, Capois took his sword, got up and ran to get once again at the head of his soldiers, shouting "Forward! Forward !". To strengthen the depleted battalions Capois-la-Mort, Dessalines sent reinforcements under the command of General Gabart, Clervaux and Jean-Philippe Daut. In mid-afternoon, Gabart took position on the hill of Charrier with Benjamin Noel.

The fighting redoubled and the evening, 1,200 French soldiers were killed or wounded [1,200 dead and 2,000 wounded on the Haitian side].

The next day a French officer, Duveyrier, go to the sentinel of Capois and was taken to the Headquarters of the Haitian army. Talks with Dessalines lasted a full day and before nightfall, an agreement was signed. Rochambeau got ten days to evacuate the fort of Vertières and embark the remains of his army and leave Santo Domingo.

Following this victory, Haiti's independence was officially proclaimed on 1 January 1804 became the first black republic in the world.

SL/ HaitiLibre