Anniversary of Henri Christophe's Death

“The donkey sweats so the horse can be decorated with lace” - Haitian Proverb

(Henri Christophe)

Henri Christophe was born as Christopher Henry on October 6th, 1767 in an unknown place in Grenada. He was born a slave. After being born he was brought to the northern part of Saint Domingue. In 1779 he served with French forces as a drummer boy. His regiment went to assist the United States during the U.S. Revolutionary War.

(A statue of Christophe)

As an adult he worked as a mason, sailor, stable hand, waiter, and billiard maker. He worked at and managed a hotel in Cap-Français. As a young man he gained his freedom. In 1791 he became a soldier in the Haitian Revolution. He fought with Toussaint Louverture against the French.

(A drawing of Christophe)

In 1802 he was promoted to general. In 1805 Christophe and Jean Jacques Dessalines mobilized troops to kick out the remaining French troops in the Dominican Republic. They set fire to the town of Santo Domingo. In 1806 he learned of an assassination attempt against Jean Jacques Dessalines but did not tell him. In 1807 he became the president of Haiti in the North.

(A drawing of Christophe)

In 1811 he declared the northern part of Haiti a kingdom. Christophe built 6 châteaux, 8 palaces and the massive Citadelle Laferrière, on a mountain near Milot. For agricultural production he chose to enforce corvée plantation work. He was unpopular during his reign.

(A drawing of Christophe)

On October 8th, 1820 Henri Christophe committed suicide due to risk of a possible coup in Cap-Haitien, Haiti. He was 53 years old.

(A statue of Christophe)

Today is the 196th anniversary of his death. Take time to remember this great leader today.

(P.S. sorry for the late post)

Happy Birthday Henri Christophe

“The donkey sweats so the horse can be decorated with lace” - Haitian Proverb

(Henri Christophe)

Henri Christophe was born as Christopher Henry on October 6th, 1767 in an unknown place in Grenada. He was born a slave. After being born he was brought to the northern part of Saint Domingue. In 1779 he served with French forces as a drummer boy. His regiment went to assist the United States during the U.S. Revolutionary War.

(A statue of Christophe)

As an adult he worked as a mason, sailor, stable hand, waiter, and billiard maker. He worked at and managed a hotel in Cap-Français. As a young man he gained his freedom. In 1791 he became a soldier in the Haitian Revolution. He fought with Toussaint Louverture against the French.

(A drawing of Christophe)

In 1802 he was promoted to general. In 1805 Christophe and Jean Jacques Dessalines mobilized troops to kick out the remaining French troops in the Dominican Republic. They set fire to the town of Santo Domingo. In 1806 he learned of an assassination attempt against Jean Jacques Dessalines but did not tell him. In 1807 he became the president of Haiti in the North.

(A drawing of Christophe)

In 1811 he declared the northern part of Haiti a kingdom. Christophe built 6 châteaux, 8 palaces and the massive Citadelle Laferrière, on a mountain near Milot. For agricultural production he chose to enforce corvée plantation work. He was unpopular during his reign.

(A drawing of Christophe)

On October 8th, 1820 Henri Christophe committed suicide due to risk of a possible coup in Cap-Haitien, Haiti. He was 53 years old.

(A statue of Christophe)

Today is his 249th birthday and we would all like to say happy birthday and rest in peace Henri Christophe.

Anniversary of Denmark Vesey's Death

“We are free, but the white people here won't let us be so; and the only way is to raise up and fight the whites” - Denmark Vesey

(Denmark Vesey)

Denmark Vesey was born on an unknown date in 1767 in Charleston, South Carolina, USA. He was born into slavery. He was a skilled carpenter and could read. When he was 32 he won a lottery and purchased his freedom. Vesey became active in the Second Presbyterian Church. In 1818 he was among the founders of an independent AME Church in the city. In 1822 Vesey plotted a slave revolt. He planned to kill slaveholders in Charleston, liberate the slaves, and sail to the black republic of Haiti for refuge. Before the revolt could start city officials arrested Vesey and others involved. Vesey and five slaves were among the first group of men rapidly judged guilty by the secret proceedings of a city appointed Court and condemned to death. On July 2nd, 1822 Denmark Vesey was executed in Charleston, South Carolina, USA. He was about 55 years old.

(A statue of Denmark Vesey)

Today is the 194th anniversary of his death. Take time to remember this great revolutionary today.   

(P.S. sorry for the late post)