| "> | | | | women presidents -- became the first black woman |
| Haiti & Olympics | | | | president in the Western Hemisphere. Four years on, |
| Did you know... Haiti's shooters -- Ludovic Valborge, L. | | | | Claudette Werleigh was named Head of Government |
| H. Clertmont, Astrel Rolland, Destin Destine, C. Dupre, | | | | by Haiti's Head of State Jean-Bertrand Aristide. On the |
| Eloi Metullus & Ludovic Augustin -- won a bronze | | | | other hand, Michaelle Jean, Canada's |
| medal at the 1924 Paris Olympic Games -- making it | | | | Governor-General, was born on the island of Haiti. She |
| the first black nation in the globe to win a Summer | | | | has lived in Canada since 1968. In 2006 Michaelle went |
| Olympic medal. This medal made Haiti the poorest | | | | to Port-au-Prince. |
| country ever to win an Olympic medal. Surprisingly | | | | Geography |
| they do it in an island where there are few sports | | | | Did you know... Haiti is about the size of Maryland. This |
| facilities. Certainly the Caribbean team was a "dark | | | | country has been described as the "Pearl of the |
| horse" in France. | | | | Caribbean". |
| Katherine Dunham & Haiti | | | | Africa & Haiti |
| Did you know... The island nation of Haiti was once | | | | Did you know... In 1967 Ethiopia's Haile Selassie, the last |
| home to Katherine Dunham, one of the most | | | | emperor of Africa, arrived in Haiti for an official visit. |
| successful dancers of the 20th century. Undoubtedly | | | | During his visit to the first black nation in the world, |
| she loved Haiti. America's Katherine Dunham had long | | | | Selassie met with Francois Duvalier, President for life |
| been fascinated by the Haitian culture and traditions. | | | | of Haiti. |
| Her book "Island Possessed" ( 1969 ) is a tribute to this | | | | History |
| Caribbean nation. In 2002 she, who was born in Glenn | | | | Did you know... In the early 1800s Haiti became the first |
| Ellyn ( Illinois, USA ), forced the world to pay attention | | | | black republic on the planet. Before Haiti became a |
| to the Haitian-boat people. Today Katherine is a | | | | state, it had been a French colony. |
| national heroine in Haiti. | | | | Haiti & the FIFA World Cup |
| National Symbols | | | | Did you know... In 1974 Haiti lived up to their reputation |
| Did you know... Since 1804 Haiti has had four national | | | | as one of the best teams in the Caribbean by winning |
| flags. | | | | the Concacaf Cup. Haiti became the first Caribbean |
| World-famous Haitians | | | | soccer team to take the Concacaf title breaking a |
| Did you know... Wyclef Neluset Jean -- Haiti's image | | | | 30-year strong hold by Mexico. During that regional |
| abroad -- is a world-renowned Haitian musician. | | | | tournament, Haiti also qualified for the global |
| Currently he is a Haiti's advocate in the world. | | | | championships in Munich, West Germany. The country |
| Haiti & the United States | | | | had never qualified for a major soccer tournament |
| Did you know... Washington has close ties to Haiti. | | | | before. This international title gave Haiti a moment of |
| Since the 1930s, many American leaders have visited | | | | joy and glory. In Europe, Haiti and Zaire -- today the |
| Haiti. In this context, president Franklin Delano | | | | Democratic Republic of the Congo ( Africa ) -- were |
| Roosevelt ( 1933-1945 ) traveled to Haiti in 1934. | | | | the first black republics to qualify for the FIFA World |
| Sixty-one years later, Bill Clinton became the second | | | | Cup in the 20th century. |
| American president to come to Haiti. President Clinton | | | | Haiti & Miss Universe Pageant |
| arrived in Port-au-Prince to confer with Jean-Bertrand | | | | Did you know... Haiti's contestant, Gerthie David, who |
| Aristide ( country's president ). On the other hand, Colin | | | | speaks French & English, came close to winning |
| Powell, Secretary of State, went to the country in | | | | the Miss Universe pageant in San Salvador ( El |
| 2004. In 2008, Laura Bush, America's First Lady, was | | | | Salvador, Central America ) in the mid-1970s. |
| the guest of honour of the Haitian government. | | | | Surprisingly Gerthie -- who was the country's third |
| Subsequently, Hillary Clinton, current Secretary of | | | | representative -- became the second black woman to |
| State, accepted an invitation to visit Haiti. In | | | | qualify for the finals in MU. Apparently Haiti's Gerthie |
| Port-au-Prince, she , who visited the country in 1998, | | | | David was supported by two international judges -- |
| met with high-ranking Haitian officials. | | | | Sarah Vaughan ( an American-born Grammy-winning |
| In the mid-1990s, Jimmy Carter, 2002 Nobel Peace | | | | singer ) and Jean-Claude Killy (a former Olympic |
| Prize and former U.S. president, played a key role in | | | | champ and current Olympic leader ). According to a |
| bringing an end to military rule in Haiti. | | | | newspaper of San Salvador, Miss Haiti was one of |
| Population | | | | the 11 favorites to win the global title. She had surprised |
| Did you know... Five decades ago Haitians could | | | | and delighted many at this international beauty pageant. |
| expect to live 39 years. Today they can look forward | | | | On the other hand, in 1977, for the first time, Haiti sent a |
| to 60. | | | | non-black woman to compete in the MU in the |
| Women & Power | | | | Dominican Republic. |
| Did you know... In Haiti females were allowed to vote | | | | Culture |
| from 1950 -- Women make up a majority of the | | | | Did you know... Haiti participated at the 1967 Montreal |
| population. Over the past decades, this Caribbean | | | | World Exposition in Canada, along with 70 nations. |
| nation has had two female leaders. In 1991 Ertha | | | | Likewise, it sent a national delegation to the African |
| Pascal-Trouillot -- one of the world's shortest-serving | | | | Festival in Dakar ( Senegal ) in the 1960s. |