17512: FranK: MESSENGERS OF LIBERTY RELATES BIRTH OF HAITI TWO HUNDRED YEARS AG O (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: "Frank, Christine B." <CHRISTINE.B.FRANK@saic.com>


MESSENGERS OF LIBERTY RELATES BIRTH OF HAITI TWO HUNDRED YEARS AGO


DECEMBER 5, 2003, ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI--In 1989 when Ronald Reagan, welcoming
a Haitian president at the White House, mentioned in his speech, "The
American blood mixed with the Haitian blood was spilled at Savannah," he was
referring to 300 pre-Haitian volunteers who died there for the cause of
freedom. Undoubtedly, some other pre-Haitians, fighting under Rochambeau in
the French Navy, helped neutralize the British fleet. This prompted the
surrender of Charles Cornwallis to General Washington at Yorktown. After
expelling those battle-hardened veterans of European wars from the land they
created the first black republic in the world and the second independent
nation in America in January 1804. On the threshold of this bicentennial
event to take place on January 1, 2004 in Haiti, their saga is told in
Messengers of Liberty by Rodrigue Francois.

Haitian expatriates have planned various celebrations to mark the
bicentennial. A wide range of activities will take place during 2004,
including a trip to Haiti, "Cruising into History", lecture series in
several universities, cultural exposition and performance, books signings,
and reflection on 1804. A giant poster at the Chicago Museum of Negro
History used to commemorate the sacrifice. Commemorative monuments are being
erected in Savannah and Miami.

>From independence in history's first successful Black slave revolt, through
liberation from 29 years of the Duvaliers to the unprecedented democratic
progress since 1990, the Haitian people have continued to defy the odds and
continue to struggle with tenacity and unity of purpose.

For information regarding orders, interviews, appearance, bulk purchase, or
institutional sales, contact haitibicentennial04@hotmail.com
<mailto:haitibicentennial04@hotmail.com> or the author at 314.531.3226.