November
18, 1803, a momentous day in Haitian history. It was the day the final battle
was fought by the Haitian army, composed of rebels and former slaves, against
the French Army led by Napoleon Bonaparte. On this day, this battle forever
known as the Battle of Vertieres (La Bataille de Vertieres) the Haitians defeated the French Army
and effectively repelled their one time masters.
Today,
November 18, 2014, 211 years after the battle was fought and won, this date is
celebrated as a National Holiday in Haiti. Formerly known as the Day of the Army, Haiti celebrates the memory of this great battle with parades,
parties and days off from school and work. Credited with being the final blow
against the French and winning Haiti's independence, the Battle of Vertieres is
a day of pride for all Haitian nationals and members of the Haitian diaspora.
From this battle many men were immortalized as heroes but none greater than General Francois Capois aka Capois-la-mort.
