Dessalines Day is a public holiday in the Republic of Haiti, and it is observed on October 17 each year. The holiday commemorates the death anniversary when Jean-Jacques Dessalines was assassinated in 1806.
Haiti is a country located on the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean Sea and it occupies the western three-eighths of the island of Hispaniola.
Jean-Jacques Dessalines was born into slavery and worked in the sugarcane plantation until he was about 30 when he was sold to another master with the last name of Dessalines. The new master assigned his last name to Jean-Jacques.
He joined the Haitian Revolution in 1791 and gradually rose to the rank of brigadier general by 1799. During the revolution, his forces achieved a series of victories against the French including the Battle of Vertieres. On January 1, 1804, he declared independence and became the first ruler of Haiti. On October 17, 1806, he was assassinated.
The following is the list of Dessalines Day in Haiti from 2022 to 2026.
| Holiday | Date | Weekday |
|---|---|---|
| Dessalines Day | Oct 17, 2022 | Monday |
| Dessalines Day | Oct 17, 2023 | Tuesday |
| Dessalines Day | Oct 17, 2024 | Thursday |
| Dessalines Day | Oct 17, 2025 | Friday |
| Dessalines Day | Oct 17, 2026 | Saturday |
Please check more public holidays in the Republic of Haiti: