Peerless is level 1 of 4 in the Haiti Hall of Fame: changed the field itself. Tell the country's story without them and the story breaks. See how the levels work.
Why they are here
The general who defeated Napoleon's army at Vertières and declared Haiti's independence on 1 January 1804.
Dessalines named the new nation Haiti, after its Taíno name, and ruled it as emperor until he was assassinated in 1806. The national anthem, 'La Dessalinienne', is named after him.
In 1804 he ordered the killing of most of the remaining French population, an episode historians still debate.
In 1804 he ordered the killing of most of the remaining French population, an episode historians still debate.
Spotted something wrong? Tell us and we will check it.