28 november, Albania day

Dear Albanian friends and friends of Albania,

To say that 28 November is the most important day for every Albanian is an euphemism, because beyond a special 24-hour day that represents the independence acquired by Albania in 1912 with the raising of the national flag in Vlora by Ismail Qemali, it is a special day for a number of other aspects of considerable historical and national importance.

In fact, the date itself is symbolised by a series of circumstances relating to key moments in the history of an entire nation.

28 November 1443

The history of 28 November as we know it today begins on 28 November 1443.

It was in 1443, more than five and a half centuries ago, that Albania's national hero, Gjergj Kastrioti, raised the flag of the two-headed eagle on the fortress of Kruja, liberating it from Ottoman occupation and beginning the liberation of the Balkan peninsula.?

For a quarter of a century, with an army of 10,000 soldiers, it stood strong against the Ottoman forces. He became a real resistance, keeping the Ottoman conquerors away from Europe until his death on 17 January 1468.

After Gjergj Kastriot's death, it would take 469 years to free Albania from the Ottoman occupiers.

The most important November for the Albanians is undoubtedly that of 1912 - even if it is the "second" one.

28 November 1912 : Independance Day

Following in the footsteps of Skenderbeu, Ismail Qemali began his journey to the coastal town of Vlora, where from the balcony of his house he hoisted the red and black flag - still with the two-headed eagle embroidered by Marigoja - and thus officially declared Albania's independence from the occupying Ottoman Empire.

The National Assembly of Vlora was the body that announced independence with 37 delegates. This act of proclamation is one of the most important events in the history of the Albanian people. This day is commemorated as the result of the centuries-old efforts and wars of the Albanians to protect the territorial integrity of their motherland and to form an independent Albanian state.

At that time, after negotiations and considerable diplomatic representation at international congresses and foreign chancelleries, they won international recognition from neighbouring states.?

With gun and pen, Albania became independent and its modern history began to emerge.

Adem Jashari's 28 November?

There is a reason why this date is described as special for Albania, as it knows no borders. In addition to National Independence Day, many other events are commemorated on National Flag Day.

It was on this date in 1955, in Prekaz of Skenderaj, that the legendary commander of the Kosovo Liberation Army, Adem Jashari, was born. He then moved to Albania for military training. It was in 1993 that Jashari returned to Kosovo, from where he continued his campaigns against the Yugoslav occupation.

In July 1997, a Yugoslav judge sentenced A. Jashari for "terrorism in absentia".

But he was never captured by the Serbian regime.

Unfortunately, in 1998, Milosevic's Serbian police launched an attack on Jashari's house that was as powerful as it was cowardly. A real battle followed, during which 57 members of Jashari's family, including Adem, his wife, his son and his brother, were killed.

The seven years he spent at the head of the KLA made him one of the most respected figures among the Albanian people. He gave his life for the freedom of the nation.

28 November of the Albanians of Kosova

The albanian people of Kosova themselves do not only commemorate the date of the raising of the flag in Albania.

In 1969, for the first time in Kosova, the national symbol was made legal for use. The one with the red and black flag.

The raising of the flag - for the third time - would take place outside the de facto Albanian borders, but within the natural border.

On 28 November 1997, the KLA made its first public appearance as an entity for the freedom of Kosovo.

For one or more reasons, 28 November is a date that has stayed with Albania at every moment in its history.

November 28 gives meaning to the old story of an eagle with two heads, but only one body, namely that of the Albanians.