Independence Day in Albania marks the 1912 declaration of independence from the Ottoman Empire in Vlorë, symbolizing national unity, freedom and the rebirth of the Albanian state.

When is Independence Day?

Independence Day in Albania is celebrated on November 28 every year.

The following is the list of Independence Day from 2020 to 2049.

The History of Independence Day?

For over four centuries, Albania was part of the Ottoman Empire (from the late 15th century until the early 20th century). During this period, Albania's identity, language, and culture were often suppressed under Ottoman rule.

In the 19th century, amid the broader European movements for independence, Albanians began to develop a strong national awakening. Intellectuals, writers, and patriots promoted education, cultural revival, and the idea of a unified Albanian nation.

The first major step toward independence came with the League of Prizren, established on June 10, 1878, following the Treaty of San Stefano. The League aimed to defend Albanian lands from being divided among neighboring countries and called for autonomy within the Ottoman Empire. Although eventually suppressed by the Ottomans, it became a symbol of national unity and self-determination.

By the early 20th century, the Ottoman Empire was in decline, and the Balkan Wars (1912–1913) threatened to divide Albanian territories among Serbia, Greece, and Montenegro. Fearing partition, Albanian leaders moved quickly to declare national independence and assert sovereignty before foreign powers could occupy the region.

On November 28, 1912, Ismail Qemali, a respected statesman and patriot, gathered 83 delegates from across Albanian territories in the coastal city of Vlorë. In a historic assembly, they proclaimed Albania's independence from the Ottoman Empire, raising the red flag with the black double-headed eagle for the first time in modern history.

Albania's independence faced immediate challenges, including political instability, foreign occupations, and shifting borders during World War I. However, Albanian national identity persisted, and the flag of November 28, 1912, remained a symbol of freedom and unity throughout the 20th century.

After the fall of communism in 1991, Independence Day regained its full civic and patriotic significance in a democratic Albania. Independence Day represents the rebirth of the Albanian nation, the unity of its people, and the end of centuries of foreign domination.