February is Black History Month, and it would not be complete without a look at Haiti, the first nation in the world to ban slavery, declare independence, and become a Black republic, reclaiming its original name, "Ayiti," while liberating itself from French colonial rule. Haiti is the only nation in history to declare freedom and independence after throwing off the chains of slavery. This was possible after an epic battle between the indigenous army led by General Capois la Mort against the French army on November 18th, 1803. The victory at Vertières paved the way for freedom and independence.
On January 1, 1804, the general in chief of the native army, Jean-Jacques Dessalines, along with all of the generals, denounced French rule and signed the Haitian Declaration of Independence. It was the first document to establish a free nation for everyone, regardless of skin color. The impact of this revolution shook the Western world, which quickly reacted by isolating the young nation through an embargo that slowed its growth.
Haiti served as an inspiration for African Americans historically. It planted the seeds of the American civil rights movement, as it was seen as a beacon of genuine self-determination, freedom, and equality, all of which were unavailable in the United States. Prominent Black American intellectuals W.E.B. Du Bois and Frederick Douglass (who served as United States Ambassador to Haiti) were influenced by Haiti. The impact of Haiti on the African American experience was also felt in other ways, such as the work of the poet and activist Langston Hughes, who was heavily influenced by Haitian experiences and connections and spent much time in Haiti. For more information, check out this Library of Congress resource: Introduction - Freedom in the Black Diaspora: A Resource Guide for Ayiti Reimagined or this article from the Smithsonian: From Harlem to Haiti | National Museum of African American History and Culture