Historical Events tagged with "haiti"

Turns out history loves a label—battles, breakthroughs, and the occasional disaster, all neatly tagged for your browsing pleasure. Because sometimes you just need every weird invention in one place.

Social Movements & Civil Rights

Dutty Boukman leads Vodou ceremony and rebellion

August 21st, 1791 233 years ago

A Vodou ceremony led by Dutty Boukman marked a pivotal moment when enslaved Africans in Saint-Domingue united in revolt against their oppressors. The gathering emphasized spiritual solidarity and revolt against the brutal plantation system. Rooted in Vodou beliefs, the ceremony set the stage for a coordinated uprising, which would ultimately escalate into the Haitian Revolution. Enslaved people began to assert their rights and fight against colonial rule in what became a defining moment in world history.

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Social Movements & Civil Rights

Vodou Ceremony by Dutty Boukman at Bois Caïman

August 14th, 1791 233 years ago

In a significant gathering at Bois Caïman, enslaved Africans in Saint-Domingue convened for a powerful Vodou ceremony. Led by houngan Dutty Boukman, this meeting aimed to unify the enslaved population against their oppressors. Participants sought spiritual strength, voicing their intent to resist the harsh conditions imposed upon them on the plantations. The ceremony not only served as a religious observance but also sparked the catalyst for the Haitian Revolution, igniting a long struggle for freedom and self-determination.

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Exploration & Discovery

Santa María runs aground off Haiti

December 25th, 1492 532 years ago

On Christmas Day, the carrack Santa María, commanded by Christopher Columbus, ran aground on a reef near present-day Haiti due to insufficient watchkeeping. This unfortunate mishap happened during Columbus's first voyage to the New World, marking a critical moment in the expedition. Crew members struggled to save the vessel, but the damage proved too severe, leading to its abandonment. The incident would alter the course of Columbus's explorations and subsequent interactions with the indigenous peoples of the Caribbean.

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