contact@haitiwonderland.com+509 36184317

Discover

Shopping Cart

Haïti
Haïti
What are the national holidays in Haiti?Haïti
What are the national holidays in Haiti?
Haïti
  • January 12, 2025
  • | 1

What are the national holidays in Haiti?

Haiti, rich in history and culture, celebrates several national holidays throughout the year. These celebrations reflect the identity and resilience of the Haitian people, marking key moments in their history and honoring their traditions. Discover the most important national holidays in Haiti, their meanings and how they are celebrated.

HaïtiHaïti

National Independence Day – January 1st

January 1st is a sacred date for Haitians, marking their accession to independence in 1804.

- Significance: This holiday celebrates the proclamation of Haiti’s independence, making the country the first independent black republic in the world.
- Celebrations: The day is marked by patriotic speeches, official ceremonies and the sharing of soup joumou, an iconic dish symbolizing freedom and national pride.
- Key figures: More than 11 million Haitians participate in this culinary and historical tradition each year.

HaïtiHaïti

Grandfathers’ Day – January 2

The day after Independence Day, Haïti pays tribute to the ancestors who fought for freedom.

- Significance: This day honors the heroes of the Haitian revolution and celebrates their courage and sacrifice.
- Celebrations: Haitians often visit historical monuments and organize gatherings to remember their ancestors.
- Impact: It is an opportunity to reflect on the legacy left by these emblematic figures.

HaïtiHaïti

Agriculture and Labor Day – May 1

May 1 is a day dedicated to the importance of agriculture and labor in Haitian society.

- Meaning: This holiday highlights the crucial role of farmers and workers in the national economy.
- Celebrations: Agricultural fairs are held across the country, showcasing local products and innovations in the agricultural sector.
- Key figures: Agriculture employs nearly 38% of the working population in Haiti, highlighting the importance of this sector.

HaïtiHaïti

Flag and University Day – May 18

May 18 is a doubly symbolic day, celebrating the Haitian flag and education.

- Meaning: This date commemorates the creation of the Haitian flag in 1803 in Arcahaie, a symbol of national unity.
- Celebrations: Parades, patriotic speeches, and educational activities are organized to honor this event.
- Key figures: More than 90% of Haitian schools organize events to mark this day.

HaïtiHaïti

The Commemoration of the Battle of Vertières – November 18

November 18 is a key date in Haitian history, marking the last major battle before independence.

- Significance: This day celebrates the decisive victory of Haitian troops against the Napoleonic army at the Battle of Vertières in 1803.
- Celebrations: Military ceremonies and historical reenactments are organized to commemorate this feat.
- Highlights: This battle remains a symbol of the determination and courage of the Haitian people.

HaïtiHaïti

The importance of these national holidays

National holidays in Haïti are much more than public holidays: they embody the history, values, and identity of the nation. These celebrations allow Haitians to come together, pay tribute to their past and pass on their heritage to future generations.

If you have memories or anecdotes about one of these celebrations, share them in the comments!

Share
About the Author
Appolon Guy Alain

Full Stack Developer, Créatif, expérimenté, passionné des nouvelles technologies et de l’art.

See other articles from Appolon Guy Alain
Leave a comment

Recently Posted

Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed of all our activities and news on Haiti.

Petit-Goave, Haiti: Decryption of the 3rd rara weekend!

It is more and more obvious that in Petit-Goave the media space is absorbed by the rivalry between Ratyèfè, triple champions and lambi gran lambi dlo, a former champion. The past weekend was once again irrefutable proof of the media tension over these two rival bands. With a carnival-like appearance, the fan club of the first dressed in a white shirt, short orange-yellow skirt, purple tie, black boot; the other dressed in a traditional hat, yellow jersey, red pants, red or yellow tennis shoes. This marriage of colors with the taste of carnival is the expression of cultural diversity as La Fontaine said in his book tales and short stories "diversity is my motto." This formula can adapt well to the rara. If it is true in Léogane this marriage of color has existed for ages. It is no less true that this was the case in Petit-Goave because we had to wait for the strong return of Ratyèfè in 2018 to see the rara fan clubs dress differently each new weekend. Last Saturday more than one expected a new face to face between Lambi gran dlo and Ratyèfè because the latter weighed anchor in the direction of the 2nd plain and the latter, in the direction of the city center. Less than in any other circumstance, this duel at the top was obvious. If for some comments it was a favorable opportunity for Lambi to take his revenge on his rival compared to the previous weekend because he had done the profile although he had the advantage because he was two against one. (Lambi,chenn tamarin vs Ratyèfè). This enormous advantage did not work in their favor because the hours that had passed worked against them, as proof they had gone to sleep while ratyèfè remained to play for at least 30 more rounds. Surprisingly but not surprisingly during the meeting long awaited by less than one, at the Acul not far from the Saint Jean-Baptiste church, lambi had decided not to play anymore. However, according to the customs and costumes of the rara when there are two bands, the one who stops playing first, shows weakness and surrender. Consequently, the other who is opposite out of decency and good morals has no other choice to do the same. It follows that for the umpteenth time the great power formation (lambi grand dlo) was unable to take revenge on its rival. For many cultural journalists who were present to witness this event did not have their tongue in their pocket to give their impression of Ratyèfè’s monster performance. This is the case for Brignol, a cultural commentary which wondered if Ratyèfè had the devil in his body so that the most incredulous were in their feeling of joy. On Sunday evening this monster of animation once again made its mark in the art of its know-how. This is what explains the almost unanimity among the cultural journalists of Petit-Goâve in granting first place to this band for its performance and its musical discipline. So, for this weekend according to the circle of cultural journalists of Petit-Goave and with the approval of many other cultural comments. We have the following classification: 1st Ratyèfè 2nd Grap Kenèp 3rd Orgueil de la jeunesse

Haïti / Fort Saint-Joseph: Historical Vestige of the Resistance

Located in the Bay of Cap-Haitien, Fort Saint-Joseph stands like a silent guardian of Haiti’s tumultuous history. Built in two stages, in 1748 and 1774, this defensive work was once a crucial element of the city’s protection system against French colonial assaults. Alongside other forts such as Picolet and Magny, its mission was to control maritime passages and defend Haitian sovereignty. However, its history is not limited to its defensive function. In 1802, then under the control of General Henry Christophe, the fort became the scene of a heroic act of resistance. Faced with the French expeditionary army, Christophe ordered the destruction of the powder magazine and the entrance gate to the fort, thus rendering it temporarily unusable. This courageous gesture, although tactical, left indelible scars on the very structure of the fort, testifying to the fierce clashes between French colonial forces and Haitian resistance fighters. These historic marks, still visible today, offer a window into the country’s tumultuous past. They allow visitors and historians to interpret the fierce struggles that forged Haitian identity. Fort Saint-Joseph, as a witness to the resistance and the struggle for freedom, embodies the indomitable spirit of the Haitian people. Recognizing its historical significance, the Haitian government officially classified Fort Saint-Joseph as national heritage in 1995. This recognition paved the way for restoration efforts aimed at preserving this precious vestige of Haitian military heritage. Thanks to collaboration between the public sector and local private funding, the fort has recently been restored and enhanced. Thus, Fort Saint-Joseph remains much more than a simple stone structure. It is a living symbol of the resilience and determination of the Haitian people, reminding all visitors that Haiti’s history is deeply rooted in the struggle for freedom and human dignity. To virtually discover this jewel of Haitian history, you can visit the following link: https://haitiwonderland.com/haiti-virtual-reality-ht/monuments-histoire/haiti--fort-saint-joseph--visite- virtual/11

Recently Posted

History

History

First black nation to free itself from slavery and gain independence from France in 1804 and influenced other liberation movements around the world, inspiring struggles for freedom and equality.

Natural beauty

Natural beauty

Haïti is blessed with spectacular natural landscapes, including white sand beaches, mountains and rich biodiversity.

Heritage

Heritage

Haïti has a rich historical heritage, including sites like the Citadelle Laferrière and the Sans-Souci Palace, listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Culture

Culture

Haïti has a rich and diverse culture, influenced by African, European and indigenous elements. Haitian music, dance, art and cuisine are celebrated around the world.