Albania existed as a de jure independent country, officialy known as the Albanian Kingdom, between 1939 and 1943 under the occupation of Fascist Italy. A national anthem is a generally patriotic musical composition that is evoking and eulogizing the history, traditions and struggles of its people, recognized either by a nations government as the official national song, or by convention through use by the people. ... Himni i Flamurit is the national anthem of Albania. ... This article is about a city that serves as a center of government and politics. ... Tirana (Albanian: Tiranë or Tirana) is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Albania. ... This does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... The modern state Albania has twice been a monarchy. ... Victor Emmanuel III Victor Emmanuel III (Italian: Vittorio Emanuele III) (November 11, 1869 - December 28, 1947), nicknamed The Soldier, was the King of Italy (July 29, 1900 - May 9, 1946), and claimed the titles Emperor of Ethiopia (1936 - 1943) and King of Albania (1939 - 1943). ... Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. ... Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... April 7 is the 97th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (98th in leap years). ... July 25 is the 206th day (207th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 159 days remaining. ... Lek is the currency used in Albania. ... 1939 (MCMXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full year calendar). ... 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1943 calendar). ... Anthem Marcia Reale dOrdinanza (Royal March of Ordinance)¹ The Kingdom of Italy at the height of its power in 1940. ...

The Kingdom of Italy invaded Albania on April 7, 1939 a couple of months before the official start of the Second World War. The Albanian armed resistance proved inefficient against the forces of the Italian superpower. Albanian King Zog and his government were forced into exile and Albania de facto ceased to exist as an independent country. Nonetheless, the invaders set up a puppet government under a new Constitution which turned Albania into an Italian colony. The Albanian throne was claimed by King Victor Emmanuel III who de facto ruled until abdicating on July 25, 1943. April 7 is the 97th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (98th in leap years). ... 1939 (MCMXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full year calendar). ... Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... King Zog of Albania King Zog (October 8, 1895–April 9, 1961) was an Albanian politician and the first king of Albania from 1928 to 1939. ... Victor Emmanuel III Victor Emmanuel III (Italian: Vittorio Emanuele III) (November 11, 1869 - December 28, 1947), nicknamed The Soldier, was the King of Italy (July 29, 1900 - May 9, 1946), and claimed the titles Emperor of Ethiopia (1936 - 1943) and King of Albania (1939 - 1943). ... July 25 is the 206th day (207th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 159 days remaining. ... 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1943 calendar). ...

Albanian foreign affairs, customs, as well as natural resources came under direct control of Italy. The fascists allowed Italian citizens to settle in Albania and own land so they could gradually transform it into Italian soil. Albania also served as a starting-point for Mussolini to conquer Greece and other countries so he could turn "the Mediterranean into an Italian lake".

See also

• Albania
• World War II
• Albania during World War II
• Kingdom of Italy (1861-1946)