Catherine Flon (1772-1831) was a Haitian seamstress and patriot, celebrated as a national heroine. She is widely recognized for sewing the first Haitian flag on May 18, 1803, a pivotal moment in Haiti's fight for independence from French colonial rule.
According to Haitian tradition, Jean-Jacques Dessalines, a leader of the revolution and Flon's godfather, tore apart a French tricolor flag, removing the white stripe to symbolize the rejection of French authority. He then gave the remaining blue and red pieces to Flon, who stitched them together, creating the first Haitian flag. The blue and red colors are said to represent the union of black and mulatto Haitians.
Catherine Flon (1772-1831) was a Haitian seamstress and patriot, celebrated as a national heroine. She is widely recognized for sewing the first Haitian flag on May 18, 1803, a pivotal moment in Haiti's fight for independence from French colonial rule.
According to Haitian tradition, Jean-Jacques Dessalines, a leader of the revolution and Flon's godfather, tore apart a French tricolor flag, removing the white stripe to symbolize the rejection of French authority. He then gave the remaining blue and red pieces to Flon, who stitched them together, creating the first Haitian flag. The blue and red colors are said to represent the union of black and mulatto Haitians.