Who Was Jean-Jacques Dessalines?
Jean-Jacques Dessalines remains one of the most iconic figures in Haitian history. Born a slave around 1758, he rose to become the military leader who consolidated Haiti’s independence in 1804, making the country the world’s first free Black republic and the first nation in the Americas to permanently abolish slavery.
Dessalines was renowned for:
- His exceptional military bravery in the fight against French colonial forces
- His decisive role in the Battle of Vertières in November 1803
- His historic proclamation of Haitian independence on January 1, 1804
- His vision of a sovereign and independent Black nation


















































































