Haiti news

Did you know ... Haiti's shooters-- Ludovic Valborge, L. H. Clertmont, Astrel Rolland, Destin Destine, C. Dupre, Eloi Metullus & Ludovic Augustin-- won a bronze medal at the 1924 Paris Olympic Games-- making it the first black nation in the globe to win a Summer Olympic medal. This medal made Haiti the poorest country ever to win an Olympic medal.

Katherine Dunham & Haiti

Did you know ... The island nation of Haiti was once home to Katherine Dunham, one of the most successful dancers of the 20th century. Undoubtedly she loved Haiti. America's Katherine Dunham had long been fascinated by the Haitian TV Stations culture and traditions. Her book "Island Possessed" (1969) is a tribute to this Caribbean nation. In 2002 she, who was born in Glenn Ellyn (Illinois, USA ), forced the world to pay attention to the Haitian-boat people. Today Katherine is a national heroine in Haiti.

National Symbols

Did you know ... Since 1804 Haiti has had four national flags.

World-famous Haitians

Did you know ... Wyclef Neluset Jean-- Haiti's image abroad-- is a world-renowned Haitian musician. Currently he is a Haiti's advocate in the world.

Haiti & the United States

Did you know ... Washington has close ties to Haiti. In this context, president Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1933-1945) traveled to Haiti in 1934. Sixty-one years later, Bill Clinton became the second American president to come to Haiti.

In the mid-1990s, Jimmy Carter, 2002 Nobel Peace Prize and former U.S. president, played a key role in bringing an end to military rule in Haiti.

Population

Did you know ... Five decades ago Haitians could expect to live 39 years. Today they can look forward to 60.

Women & Power

Did you know ... In Haiti females were allowed to vote from 1950-- Women make up a majority of the population. Over the past decades, this Caribbean nation has had two female leaders. In 1991 Ertha Pascal-Trouillot-- one of the world's shortest-serving women presidents-- became the first black woman president in the Western Hemisphere. Four years on, Claudette Werleigh was named Head of Government by Haiti's Head of State Jean-Bertrand Aristide. On the other hand, Michaelle Jean, Canada's Governor-General, was born on the island of Haiti. She has lived in Canada since 1968. In 2006 Michaelle went to Port-au-Prince.

Geography

Did you know ... Haiti is about the size of Maryland. This country has been described as the "Pearl of the Caribbean".

Africa & Haiti

Did you know ... In 1967 Ethiopia's Haile Selassie, the last emperor of Africa, arrived in Haiti for an official visit. During his visit to the first black nation in the world, Selassie met with Francois Duvalier, President for life of Haiti.

History

Did you know ... In the early 1800s Haiti became the first black republic on the planet. Before Haiti became a state, it had been a French colony.

Haiti & the FIFA World Cup

Did you know ... In 1974 Haiti lived up to their reputation as one of the best teams in the Caribbean by winning the Concacaf Cup. Haiti became the first Caribbean soccer team to take the Concacaf title breaking a 30-year strong hold by Mexico. During that regional tournament, Haiti also qualified for the global championships in Munich, West Germany. The country had never qualified for a major soccer tournament before. This international title gave Haiti a moment of joy and glory. In Europe, Haiti and Zaire-- today the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Africa)-- were the first black republics to qualify for the FIFA World Cup in the 20th century.


Did you know ... Haiti's shooters-- Ludovic Valborge, L. H. Clertmont, Astrel Rolland, Destin Destine, C. Dupre, Eloi Metullus & Ludovic Augustin-- won a bronze medal at the 1924 Paris Olympic Games-- making it the first black nation in the globe to win a Summer Olympic medal. Did you know ... The island nation of Haiti was once home to Katherine Dunham, one of the most successful dancers of the 20th century. Did you know ... Washington has close ties to Haiti. Did you know ... In Haiti females were allowed to vote from 1950-- Women make up a majority of the population. Did you know ... In 1974 Haiti lived up to their reputation as one of the best teams in the Caribbean by winning the Concacaf Cup.