U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton paid tribute on Tuesday to the people of Haiti and Haitians living in the Diaspora communities around the world as they celebrated Flag Day.
“The Haitian flag was created on May 18th, 1803, in the town of Arcahaie during a congress held in the midst of the country’s war for independence,” Clinton said in a statement. “By removing the middle white stripe of the French tricolor, symbolizing European domination, and stitching together the remaining red and blue stripes, representing Haiti’s black and interracial citizens, the flag came to embody your nation’s spirit of freedom, unity, and individual liberty.”
Clinton said that following January’s devastating earthquake in Haiti, the flag took on a new resonance, with the world rallying around the people of Haiti with tremendous generosity and support.
“Today’s celebrations across Haiti and the Diaspora community are a testament to your resilience and determination even during the most challenging time,” Clinton said. “As we commemorate Flag Day, we must pay special tribute to those Haitians who despite having lost so much continue to work to build a stronger, more prosperous nation and a better tomorrow.”
Clinton reiterated the commitment of the United States to the government and people of Haiti, noting that just as the flag inspired an earlier generation of Haitians, it should do the same now, as the country looked to the future.
