Historedia
Person

Jean-Jacques Dessalines

Events
4
Episodes
7
Years
1803–1806

Every event in Historedia whose sources name Jean-Jacques Dessalines, with the role they cite and all of that event’s episodes. This is not a biography, and mentions are grouped by name, so two people with the same name can share this page.

Events and episodes

  1. Battle of Vertières ends French rule in Saint-Domingue

    1803

    Role: Commander of Haitian forces

    1. 18 November 1803 · Cap-FrançaisBattle of Vertières

      Haitian forces defeated the French colonial army at Vertières on 18 November 1803, marking the last land battle of the revolution.

    2. 4 December 1803 · Saint-DomingueFrench Surrender

      The French colonial army surrendered its last territory to Dessalines's forces in December 1803.

  2. Haitian independence and the 1804 Haiti massacre

    1804

    Role: Governor-General of Haiti (from 1 January 1804), later proclaimed Emperor Jacques I

    1. 1 January 1804 · GonaïvesProclamation of Independence

      Dessalines declared independence in Gonaïves, establishing Haiti as a black state and assuming the role of governor-general.

    2. February to 22 April 1804 · Haiti1804 Haiti Massacre

      Dessalines ordered the massacre of the remaining white population, primarily French, resulting in thousands of deaths.

  3. Jean-Jacques Dessalines becomes Emperor of Haiti (1804)

    1804

    Role: Emperor of Haiti

    1. 22 September 1804 · HaitiProclamation as Emperor

      Generals proclaimed Dessalines Emperor on 22 September 1804, ending his term as Governor-General-for-life.

    2. 8 October 1804 · Cap-HaïtienCoronation in Cap-Haïtien

      Dessalines was crowned as Jacques I in Cap-Haïtien on 8 October 1804.

  4. Emperor Jacques I of Haiti assassinated at Pont-Rouge

    1806

    Role: Emperor of Haiti

    1. 17 October 1806 · Larnage (now known as Pont-Rouge)Assassination at Pont-Rouge

      Dessalines was assassinated by rivals on 17 October 1806 at Larnage, now known as Pont-Rouge, north of Port-au-Prince.

Sources

  1. Jean-Jacques Dessalines Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-30
  2. Battle of Vertières Wikipedia, revision of 2026-08-29
  3. First Empire of Haiti Wikipedia