Independence Day

Albania Independence Day: November 28, 2009
Independence Day is a Public Holiday in Albania.
An Independence Day is an annual celebration commemorating the anniversary of a nation’s assumption of independent statehood. Most countries honor their respective independence day as a national holiday. Proclaiming Albanian independence after 500 years of Ottoman Turkish occupation; in a furthermore decisive act, the Congress officially issued the Vlore proclamation which marked the formal declaration of Albania’s independence on November 28th.
Albania Independence Day History
During the fifteenth century Albania enjoyed a brief period of independence under the legendary hero, Skanderbeg. Aside from this exception, the country did not enjoy independence until the twentieth century. After five hundred years of Ottoman domination, an independent Albania was proclaimed on the 28 November 1912.
Beginning with late 14th century the Ottoman Turks expanded their empire from Anatolia to the Balkans. By the 15th century, the Turks had brought under subjection nearly all of the Balkan Peninsula except for a small coastal strip which is included in present-day Albania. The Albanians’ resistance to the Turks in the mid-15th century won them acclaim all over Christian Europe. Albania became a symbol of resistance to the Ottoman Turks but suffered an almost continuous state of warfare. One of the most successful resistances against the invading Ottomans, was led by Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg from 1443 to 1468. Under a red flag bearing Skanderbeg’s heraldic emblem, an Albanian force of about 30,000 men held off Ottoman campaigns against their lands for twenty-four years.
The leadership of Skanderbeg was invincible, After the death of Skanderbeg, resistance continued until 1478, although with only moderate success. The loyalties and alliances created and nurtured by Skanderbeg faltered and fell apart, and the Ottomans conquered the territory of Albania shortly after the fall of Kruje’s castle. Albania then became part of the Ottoman Empire. This period also saw the rising of semi-autonomous Albanian ruled Pashaliks and Albanians were also an important part of the Ottoman army and Ottoman administration like the case of Köprülü family. Albania would remain a part of the Ottoman Empire as the provinces of Shkodra, Manastir and Yanya until 1912.
Albania Independence Day Customs and Activities
The Empire State has a longstanding tradition of acknowledging significant milestones and events of historic importance to its many citizens of Albanian ancestry. A popular celebration known as “Flag Day” is held annually within the Albanian community as a means of commemorating November 28, 1912 — a significant date in their history as a country and throughout the Albanian Diaspora.
By: Alis