The Independence of Albania was proclaimed, an act of the National Assembly of Vlora, by which it was announced that “Albania today is independent, free and independent” . The Declaration of Independence and the formation of the Provisional Government, which became a symbol of the establishment of the Albanian National State, were simultaneous acts of the Assembly of Vlora. Ismail Qemal Vlora was appointed as the head of the government, while Nikollë Kaçori was appointed deputy prime minister. The Declaration of Independence was simultaneously accompanied by the raising of the national flag in Vlora and other centers of the country. It was done in the name of the delegates and the population of all Albanian territories, including those that were occupied by the Serbian, Montenegrin and Greek armies. The Provisional Government asked the Great Powers and the Balkan states that, together with the recognition of Albania’s Independence, the Balkan armies should be withdrawn from the occupied Albanian lands and returned to Independent Albania. The Declaration of Independence marked the overthrow of the Ottoman yoke, crowned with success the long efforts and struggle of the Albanian people for a free and independent Albania, opened a new stage in the history of Albania, the stage of the independent state and the struggle for the progress of country and for the establishment of a democratic order. The formation of the independent Albanian state became the support of the fight for freedom of the Albanians, especially those of Kosovo and other enslaved countries. The Declaration of Independence was received with excitement by the entire Albanian people and had a wide international echo. Since that time, November 28 is known as Flag Day and is a national holiday for all Albanians. (Pictured: Declaration of Independence, 1912.)
Text: The history of the Albanian people – Vol. II , Academy of Sciences of Albania, “Toena”, Tirana, 2002, page 510-515.
Photo: © https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albanian_Declaration_of_Independence
Graphic processing: AHCF
