Today, Albania celebrates its 111th anniversary of the declaration of Independence.
Ismail Qemali marked November 28, 1912, by hoisting the flag in Vlora, proclaiming Albania as a sovereign and independent state.
Through the Declaration of Independence of Albania, Ismail Qemali notified the six Great Powers of the time: England, Italy, Austro-Hungary, France, Germany, and Russia.
The Balkan states, including Romania, Montenegro, Serbia, Bulgaria, Greece, and Turkey, were also informed, seeking their recognition of Albania’s independence as a natural expression of the will of the Albanian people.
On November 28, Ismail Qemali assumed the roles of the chairman of the Assembly and the first chairman of the Government of the Albanian state. The declaration of independence encompassed all Albanian territories, and ministers were elected from various regions of Albania.
The Declaration of Independence stands as one of the pivotal events in Albanian history. It emerged from the enduring efforts and centuries-long struggles of the Albanian people to safeguard the territorial integrity of their homeland and establish an independent Albanian state.
The decision of the Vlora Assembly bestowed upon the Albanian nation an unequivocal right to freedom and independence, aligning with the rights of other nations and peoples of Europe.
November 28, 1912, signifies a historic turning point for the Albanian people. It marked the conclusion of the nearly five-century rule of the Ottoman Empire and ushered in new political conditions for overcoming significant backwardness, paving the way for rapid economic, social, and cultural development.
The Declaration of Independence symbolized a significant triumph for the Albanians against the anti-Albanian policies of neighboring Balkan monarchies and thwarted their ambitions to entirely partition Albania.
The Declaration of Independence and the raising of the national flag in Vlora represented a collective victory for the entire Albanian population and all forces that participated in the struggle for national liberation.
