History

A recent expedition by archeological investigators on the north coast of Haiti suggests that, more than 500 years after it sank, the wreckage of 'Santa Maria', the flagship vessel of Christopher Columbus' might be sitting on at the bottom of the ocean near Haiti since the Christmas Day, 1492. Barry Clifford, an explorer well known for discovering the remains of a wrecked pirate ship 'Whydah' in 1984 and more recently Captain Kidd's flagship off Madagascar, was the leader of this expedition team. As per his statement, the detailed marine archaeological evidence strongly suggests that the wreck is 'Santa Maria' that Columbus used on his first voyage in 1492. Perhaps we remember that, along with Santa Maria, Columbus used two other smaller ships, Santa Clara or La Niña and La Pinta--all the three ships were very old, never suitable for any exploration adventure. Santa Maria ran aground, and the waves smashed it to pieces. Leaving some of his men to build a fort, Columbus had returned to Spain in La Niña.

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The first independent nation of Latin America and the Caribbean now has something more to add to its title.

Already classified as one of the world's most important underwater archaeological discoveries of all time, the long-lost remains of Christopher Columbus's flagship, Santa Maria, was discovered of the coast of Haiti. It is lying at the bottom of the sea off the north coast of Haiti.

Archaeology correspondent David Keys who revealed the discovery have been able to capture significant evidence to make his conclusion. The team is currently working with the Haitian government to carry out the excavation of the wreck.

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On February 23, 2014, the investiture ceremony of 19 new cardinals at St. Peter's Basilica took place. Among the new cardinals, arrayed in their purple vestments and cardinal's caps, was Haiti's Mgr. Chibly Langlois, its first cardinal ever.

People began filling the Basilica as early as 8 am. The overflow crowd stayed outside in an area, where they could view the Consistory on over-sized screens. The crowd waited expectedly for the appearance of Pope Francis, who was elected to the papacy last March, and is the first pontiff from Latin America. The church organist began playing at 11 am as Pope Francis drew near. The unexpected presence of retired Pope Benedict XVI caused added to the significance of the occasion. He sat in the front row and was greeted by Pope Francis, amid applause from the congregation.

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Ordered by Jean-Jacques Dessalines, Haiti's first ruler, it aimed to rid Haiti of the mulatto elite. In 1804, he sent battalions of soldiers to slaughter approximately 3,000 to 5,000 white men, women, and children. The reason for the genocide was retaliation against the French occupiers for crimes against African blacks.

The Perfect Ship Massacre. Occurred in 1758 on the British eponymous ship, which carried African slaves. Three hundred African revolutionaries formed a blockade around the ship. Armed, they got aboard and slaughtered British Captain William Potter, along with his crew, freeing the black slaves.

The 1865 Jamaican Morant Bay Uprising. Provoked by the unjust rule of the British colonial government, leader Paul Bogle and his comrades torched the Court House, taking over the city.

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Monuments at Pont Rouge are becoming a disgrace and among these are the monuments of the founding father Jean-Jacques Dessalines, who led the Haitian Revolution and was the first leader once Haiti became independent. Dessalines was a French Army officer when the colony was fending off Spaniards and the British who would eventually become a commander and lead the revolt against France. Accompanied by his lieutenant Louverture, he was successful in many battles including the Battle of Crete-a-Pierrot; but, after the betrayal of Louverture, Dessaline became the leader of the revolution and defeated Napoleon's forces at the Battle of Vertieres.

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Here is the complete speech of President Michel Martelly on the occasion of the 210th anniversary of Haiti independence.

On the occasion, the Haitian president urged his fellow citizens to come together to rebuild Haiti.

"Haiti is very sick. We need to rebuild this country" said President Michel Martelly. The president believes that this is a job that can't be done by one person or one president only. It is the job of every Haitian and if we work together, we hill be able to accomplish the job.

Michel Martelly calls on every Haitian to join forces and unite to put Haiti back to its feet.

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The 210th Anniversary Of Haiti Independence was celebrated in Gonaives with many dignitaries present in Gonaives for the occasion. In a sign of unity, president Michel Martelly had invited several former Haitian presidents to join him in Gonaives for the occasion. Unfortunately, only two showed up: Jean Claude Duvalier and Prosper Avril.

Why is that?

Annou fouye pi fon!