The anniversary of the 1791 insurrection of enslaved men and women in the western part of the island of Santo Domingo falls on August 23rd. In an act of proclaiming its independence, the nation reverted to its original Amerindian name, Haiti. The Haitian revolution ignited a universal demand for freedom. The Haitian revolution spoke to all people, regardless of age, race, sex, or religion.

UNESCO’s goal is to honor those who sacrificed for Haiti’s freedom and to highlight the importance of studying history in order to emphasize struggles against oppression and racism in the world today. The 1791 resistance ignited a fire that set ablaze civil rights movements for over 200 years. It solidified concepts that would be seen in the fight against modern slavery and human trafficking. Teaching this history will ensure future generations continuously pursue peace and dignity.