The Florida House of Representatives has introduced House Resolution HR 8053, which designates October 17, 2026, as "Jean-Jacques Dessalines Day" in the state. This resolution honors Jean-Jacques Dessalines, a pivotal figure in Haitian history, who played a crucial role in the Haitian Revolution against French colonial rule. Born in 1758, Dessalines served under Toussaint L'Ouverture and continued the fight for Haiti's independence after L'Ouverture's deportation. He became the first ruler of an independent Haiti and declared the nation free from slavery, marking it as the first country in the Americas to do so.

The resolution highlights Dessalines' contributions, including the creation of the Haitian flag and his role as the first emperor of Haiti until his assassination on October 17, 1806. This date is commemorated annually in Haiti as Dessalines Day. The resolution also acknowledges the significant Haitian American community in South Florida, emphasizing the cultural and historical ties between Haiti and the state of Florida.