Haitian Flag Day 2024: Your guide to the best events and things to do in your state

Food, soccer and Kompa: A guide to the best events and things to do for Haitian Flag Day on Saturday.

Haitian Flag Day commemorates the creation of Haiti’s flag, a symbol deeply rooted in the nation’s struggle for independence. On May 18, 1803, amid the Haitian Revolution, leaders like Jean-Jacques Dessalines and Alexandre Pétion convened in Arcahaie to officially adopt the flag.

Most historical accounts credit Catherine Flon, an enslaved woman, with repurposing the French tricolor flag but omitting the white stripe to signify the rejection of white supremacy. The remaining blue and red stripes symbolized unity between Black and mixed-race residents in their quests for freedom.

Haiti’s flag is meant to represent themes of unity, independence and resistance. Haitian Flag Day celebrates that spirit while honoring the sacrifices made during the struggle for freedom and acknowledging Haiti’s rich cultural heritage.

Here is a sampling of festivals, parades, cultural events and demonstrations of Haitian pride across the U.S. All events are on May 18 unless noted otherwise.

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https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/haitian-flag-day-2024-best-events-things-to-do-guide-rcna150939

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