NEWS

Haitians bear their own attraction park after years of immigrating in Quebec. As a result, Montreal is the first Western city to shelter the statues of six of Haiti's greatest leaders who fought for the independence of Haiti being the first black republic in the world.

This park called "the Place of Unity" has been erected at 7655 on 20th Avenue in Saint-Michel on the courtyard of the association "the Found Pearl". The site sheltering an old catholic church was transformed by the Haitians into an arts centre.

The Place of Unity is the first in North America to accomodate the statues of 6 historical characters (4 men and 2 women) who took part in the establishment of the Republic of Haiti and in his recognition as a nation in whole and in part. This place is a symbolic meeting spot for all members of the Haitian community.

The construction of the place was completed in August 2007, and visitors are welcomed to discover the statues of the heroes of the Haitian revolution such as: Toussaint Louverture, Jean-Jacques Dessalines, Alexandre Pétion, Henri Christophe, Sanite Bélair and Catherine Flon. These six historical characters were selected because they are the key figures which remind people of the birth of the Republic of Haiti in 1804. These characters have shown their bravery, which allowed Haiti to be the "First Black Republic" in the history of the world.

Having a place commemorating the past of a land rich in history like Haiti allows each Haitian in Quebec, Canada and the rest of the world to better be aware of the history of Haiti, a land symbolizing the perseverance of a great number of individuals coming from various communities.

For more info, visit: www.placedelunite.com

In an effort to commemorate the exploits and sacrifices of the volunteer Chasseurs of Saint-Domingue (present-day: Haiti and the DR) who fought in the American Revolution's bloody siege of Savannah, the Miami-based Haitian American Historical Society, a non-profit organization erected on October 8, 2007 four life-size bronze statues near Savannah's downtown riverfront at Franklin Square, Georgia.

According to Daniel Fils-Aimé, chairman of the Miami-based Haitian American Historical Society, one of many Haitian Americans who came to Savannah for the dedication, "This is a testimony to tell people we Haitians didn't come from the boat," "We were here in 1779 to help America win independence. That recognition is overdue."

Fils-Aime said the historical society still needs $250,000 to finish two additional soldier statues. The monument, which cost $400,000 raised in private donations, depicts 3 soldiers representing volunteer Chasseurs of Saint Domingue, who served in the Revolutionary War and a drummer boy, Henri Christophe, who became later hero of Haiti's independence in 1804.

On October 9, 1779, a brigade of about 750 freemen (volunteer chasseurs) joined American colonists and French troops against the British in the siege of Savannah. Reports indicate that among the soldiers who engaged in the battle, 600 of them were killed. Henri Christophe, who later became King of independent Haiti, is thought to be among these troops as a drummer boy.

The Siege of Savannah was a battle of the war for independence of the United States of America in 1779. One year before, the city of Savannah was captured by a British task force under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Archibald Campbell. The battle itself consisted of a joint Franco-American led by General Lincoln and Admiral D'Estaing in an attempt to recover Savannah from September 16, 1779 to October 18, 1779. As the siege failed, the British remained in control of Georgia until July 1782, close to the end of the war.

The presence of the Chasseurs-Volontaires of Saint-Domingue as the largest unit of soldiers of African descent to fight in this war is worthy of commemoration because not too many people know about the contributions of Haiti to the greatness of America.

More info, log on: www.haitianhistory.org