Haitians led by Jean-Jacques Dessalines attacked the strong French-held fort of Vertières, near Cap Français (now known as Cap-Haïtien). Dessalines' forces won a decisive victory over the French colonial army under the Viscount of Rochambeau and forced him to capitulate the same night. The Haitian Ninth Brigade under François Capois played a crucial role in the victory.
As a result, the independent Republic of Haiti was proclaimed on January 1, 1804.
November 18 has been widely celebrated since then as a Day of Army and Victory in Haiti.