January 1

1804
January 1 is the Haitian Independence day. On January 1, 1804 Jean-Jacques Dessalines declared Haiti independent. The independence was proclaimed in Gonaïves.

This is a holiday in Haiti and one aspect of the celebration of the end of slavery and the freedom from colonialism, is the preparation of a pumpkin and beef bisque (Soup Jomou in Haitian Creole). It is said that slaves were forbidden to eat this dish. Haitians all over the world celebrate this day in honor of the Haitian Revolution and the resulting emancipation of the slaves.

1904
On January 1, 1904 on the 100th anniversary of the Haitian declaration of independence by Jean-Jacques Dessalines, Haiti adopted the national anthem La Dessalinienne with lyrics by Justin Lhérisson and composed by Nicolas Geffrard.