Flag Day

May 18 is Flag Day in Haiti. Flag Day celebrates the birthday of the Haitian flag, and is considered a holiday in Haiti. The Haitian flag symbolizes Haiti's struggle for freedom. Haiti's flag has changed throughout history; however its main symbols have remained the same. The first flag, which was adopted on May 18, 1803, consisted of two vertical blue and red bands. The blue represented Haiti's blacks and mulattoes, and the red represented their blood. Flag Day has become an annual celebration of Haiti's liberation from slavery, and its independence from France. More recently, the white squared area was added to the center of the flag. In this area, are Haiti's arms and the phrase, "L'union fait la force" (through unity we find strength).

All over the country, parades were taking place today. I had to drive up to Kenscoff today to take pictures at another orphanage, and on our way, we met up with 3 parades, of both school children and some adults marching, for which we had to stop to let pass by. Each parade had a small band playing celebration music, and excited children waving flags in the air. In one of the parades, each child and adult had on a t-shirt with the original flag on front. The country was truly celebrating today!