Jean-Jacques Dessalines and Toussaint Louverture Haitian flag has long been a symbol of pride for Haiti. Haiti gained its independence from colonial rule in 1804, making it the first country in Latin America and the Caribbean to do so, and the second republic to defeat a European colonial power in the Americas. The Haitian flag as it’s known today first came into use in 1806. Jean-Jacques Dessalines who fought with Toussaint Louverture, but later turned on him), a leader in the Haitian Revolution against France, removed the white in the French flag to symbolize an end to white European influence. The blue is said to represent the former African slaves who were brought to Haiti by the country’s colonial rulers. The red stands for people of mixed ancestry. HAPPY ☺ #haitanflagday FAM!!! #haitanflagweekend #haitanflagday #blackhistorymonth #blackempowerment #knowledgeradio #khymringgold