Flag Day and Haiti’s Return to the World Cup

Happy Haitian Flag Day! Celebrated each year on May 18, this day commemorates the birth of the Haitian flag and the revolutionary spirit it came to represent. In 1803, as Haiti fought for independence from French colonial rule, Jean-Jacques Dessalines ordered the white stripe to be removed from the French tricolor, rejecting the violence and oppression of colonialism. Catherine Flon then sewed together the remaining red and blue bands, creating a new symbol for the world’s first Black republic under the enduring motto: “L’Union Fait La Force”.

Though the majority of Flag Day celebrations took place over the weekend, the air is still brimming with national pride and unbridled excitement for Haiti’s return to the World Cup. On June 19, the Haiti vs. Brasil match will take place at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, carrying profound emotional and historical significance for Haitians around the world. 

With SOIL celebrating its 20th anniversary this year — alongside Juneteenth and this extraordinary moment in Haitian sports history — our team felt there could be no better way to honor the occasion than by hosting a free public screening of the match for the community. 

At the same time, we hold close the realities families across Haiti continue to navigate each day. Political instability, rising fuel costs tied to global conflict, and the ongoing injustices surrounding Temporary Protected Status for Haitians abroad continue to place enormous strain on daily life.

We are gathering, for both Flag Day and the World Cup, not to forget the challenges, but because culture, memory, music, and collective joy are essential acts of survival. 

And for those who couldn't attend any Flag Day celebrations, today can also be a moment to learn more about Haiti’s revolutionary history and the enduring intellectual, cultural, and political contributions of Haitians around the world.

We especially recommend the work of Johnny Celestin, Senior VP at the New York Economic Development Council and SOIL Board Member, and Jacqueline Charles, longtime journalist at the Miami Herald, whose writings continue to document Haiti with humanity and historical depth.