Chronology of Important Events of Albania:

Before AD 1

1225 BC Earliest known Illyrian King, Hylli (Hyllus), dies. Centuries: 14th century BC - 13th century BC - 12th century BC Decades: 1270s BC 1260s BC 1250s BC 1240s BC 1230s BC - 1220s BC - 1210s BC 1200s BC 1190s BC 1180s BC 1170s BC Events and trends 1221 BC - Pharaoh Merneptah defeats a Libyan invasion Significant people 1225 BC - Birth of...

358 BC Illyrians defeated by Philip II of Macedonia. Centuries: 5th century BC - 4th century BC - 3rd century BC Decades: 400s BC 390s BC 380s BC 370s BC 360s BC - 350s BC - 340s BC 330s BC 320s BC 310s BC 300s BC 363 BC 362 BC 361 BC 360 BC 359 BC 358 BC 357 BC 356 BC 355...

312 BC King Glaucius of Illyria seized Epidamnos(Durres) In the Third war of the Diadochi, Ptolemy I Soter meets a force under Antigonuss son Demetrius at Gaza, where they fight an inconclusive battle. ...

229 BC and 219 BC Romanat Shkodër. Centuries: 4th century BC - 3rd century BC - 2nd century BC Decades: 270s BC 260s BC 250s BC 240s BC 230s BC - 220s BC - 210s BC 200s BC 190s BC 180s BC 170s BC Years: 234 BC 233 BC 232 BC 231 BC 230 BC - 229 BC - 228 BC 227 BC... Centuries: 4th century BC - 3rd century BC - 2nd century BC Decades: 260s BC 250s BC 240s BC 230s BC 220s BC - 210s BC - 200s BC 190s BC 180s BC 170s BC 160s BC Years: 224 BC 223 BC 222 BC 221 BC 220 BC - 219 BC - 218 BC 217 BC...

AD 1-AD 1400

1st century AD Christianity comes to Illyrian populated areas. The 1st century was that century that lasted from 1 to 100 according the Gregorian calendar. ...

AD 9 Romans, under Emperor Tiberius, subjugate Illyrians and divide present-day Albania between Dalmatia, Epirus, and Macedonia. For other uses, see 9 (disambiguation). ...

AD 395 Roman Empire's division into eastern and western parts leaves the lands that now comprise Albania administratively under the Eastern Empire but ecclesiastically under Rome. Events After the death of emperor Theodosius I, the Roman Empire is divided in an eastern and a western half. ...

4th century - seventh century Goths, Huns, Avars, Serbs, Croats, and Bulgars successively invade Illyrian lands in present-day Albania. As a means of recording the passage of time, the 4th century was that century which lasted from 301 to 400. ... ( 6th century - 7th century - 8th century - other centuries) Events Islam starts in Arabia, the Quran is written, and Arabs subjugate Syria, Iraq, Persia, Egypt, North Africa and Central Asia to Islam. ...

732 Illyrian people subordinated to the patriarchate of Constantinople by the Byzantine emperor, Leo the Isaurian. Events October 10 - Battle of Tours: Near Poitiers, France, leader of the Franks Charles Martel and his men, defeat a large army of Moors, stopping the Muslims from spreading into Western Europe. ...

1054 Christianity divides into Catholic and Orthodox churches, leaving Christians in southern Albania under ecumenical patriarch of Constantinople and those in northern Albania under pope in Rome. Events Cardinal Humbertus, a representative of Pope Leo IX, and Michael Cerularius, Patriarch of Constantinople, decree each others excommunication. ...

1081 Albania and Albanians mentioned, for the first time in a historical record, by Byzantine emperor. Events Corfu taken from Byzantine Empire by Robert Guiscard, Italy Byzantine emperor Nicephorus III is overthrown by Alexius I Comnenus, ending the Middle Byzantine period and beginning the Comnenan dynasty Alexius I helps defend Albania from the Normans (the first recorded mention of Albania), but is defeated at the Battle...

12th century Serbs occupy parts of northern and eastern Albania. (11th century - 12th century - 13th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 12th century was that century which lasted from 1101 to 1200. ...

1204 Venice wins control over most of Albania, but Byzantines regain control of southern portion and establish Despotate of Epirus. [Neilhughandafriendlypeasant. ... The Despotate of Epirus was one of the medieval Greek successor states of the Byzantine Empire, founded in the aftermath of the Fourth Crusade in 1204. ...

1272 Forces of the King of Naples occupy Durrës and establish an Albanian kingdom. For broader historical context, see 1270s and 13th century. ...

1385 Albanian ruler of Durrës invites Ottoman forces to intervene against a rival; subsequently, Albanian clans pay tribute and swear fealty to Ottomans. Year 1385 was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. ...

1389 At Kosovo Polje, Albanians join Serbian-led Balkan army that is crushed by Ottoman forces; coordinated resistance to Ottoman westward progress evaporates. Events February 24 - Margaret I defeats Albert in battle, thus becoming ruler of Denmark, Norway and Sweden June 28 - Battle of Kosovo between Serbs and Ottomans. ...

15th Century

1403 Gjergj Kastrioti born, later becomes Albanian national hero known as Skanderbeg. Events July 21 - Battle of Shrewsbury. ...

1443 After losing a battle near Nis, Skanderbeg defects from Ottoman Empire, reembraces Roman Catholicism, and begins holy war against the Ottomans. Events Albanians, under Skanderbeg, defeat the Turks John Hunyadi defeats Turks at the Battle of Nis Vlad II Dracul begins his second term as ruler of Wallachia, succeeding Basarab II. Births January 27 - Albert, Duke of Saxony (died 1500) February 23 - Matthias Corvinus of Hungary (died 1490) May 17 - Edmund...

1444 Skanderbeg proclaimed chief of Albanian resistance. Events March 2 - Gjergj Kastriot Skanderbeg proclaimed commander of the Albanian resistance April 16 - Truce of Tours. ...

1449 Albanians, under Skanderbeg, rout Ottoman forces under Sultan Murad II. Events January 6 - Constantine XI is crowned Byzantine Emperor. ...

1468 Skanderbeg dies. August 26 - Baeda Maryam succeeds his father Zara Yaqob as Emperor of Ethiopia. ...

1478 Krujë falls to Ottoman Turks; Shkodër falls a year later. Subsequently, many Albanians flee to southern Italy, Greece, Egypt, and elsewhere; many remaining are forced to convert to Islam. Events February 18 - George, Duke of Clarence, convicted of treason against his older brother Edward IV of England, is privately executed in the Tower of London. ...

17th Century

Early 17th century Some Albanians who convert to Islam find careers in Ottoman Empire's government and military service. (16th century - 17th century - 18th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 17th century was that century which lasted from 1601-1700. ...

17th century - 18th century About two-thirds of Albanians convert to Islam. (16th century - 17th century - 18th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 17th century was that century which lasted from 1601-1700. ... (17th century - 18th century - 19th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 18th century refers to the century that lasted from 1701 through 1800. ...

18th Century

1785 Kara Mahmud Bushati, chief of Albanian tribe based in Shkodër, attacks Montenegrin territory; subsequently named governor of Shkodër by Ottoman authorities. 1785 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... Kara Mahmud Bushati was a noble of the Bushati family in Ottoman controlled Albania near the city of Shkodër. ... Ãœsküdar, a district of Istanbul, was also known as Scutari. ...

19th century

1822 Albanian leader Ali Pasha of Tepelenë assassinated by Ottoman agents for promoting an autonomous state. Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1822 (MDCCCXXII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ...

1830 1000 Albanian leaders invited to meet with Ottoman general who kills about half of them. Liberty Leading the People by Eugène Delacroix commemorates the July Revolution 1830 (MDCCCXXX) was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ...

1835 Ottoman Sublime Porte divides Albanian-populated lands into vilayets of Janina and Rumelia with Ottoman administrators. | Come and take it, slogan of the Texas Revolution 1835 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ...

1861 First school known to use Albanian language in modern times opens in Shkodër. Year 1861 (MDCCCLXI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Sunday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ...

1877-1878 Russia's defeat of Ottoman Empire seriously weakens Ottoman power over Albanian-populated areas. 1877 (MDCCCLXXVII) was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... 1878 (MDCCCLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ...

1878 Treaty of San Stefano, signed after the Russo-Turkish War, assigned Albanian-populated lands to Bulgaria, Montenegro, and Serbia; but Austria-Hungary and Britain block the treaty's implementation. Albanian leaders meet in Prizren, Kosovo, to form the Prizren League, initially advocating a unified Albania under Ottoman suzerainty. During the Congress of Berlin, the Great Powers overturn the Treaty of San Stefano and divide Albanian lands among several states. The Prizren League begins to organize resistance to the Treaty of Berlin's provisions that affect Albanians. 1878 (MDCCCLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ...

1879 Society for Printing of Albanian Writings, composed of Roman Catholic, Muslim, and Orthodox Albanians, founded in Constantinople. Year 1879 (MDCCCLXXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ...

1881 Ottoman forces crush Albanian resistance fighters at Prizren. Prizren League's leaders and families arrested and deported. Year 1881 (MDCCCLXXXI) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ...

1897 Ottoman authorities disband a reactivated Prizren League, execute its leader later, then ban Albanian language books. 1897 (MDCCCXCVII) was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ...

Twentieth century

1900-1918

1906 Albanians begin joining the Committee of Union and Progress (Young Turks), which formed in Constantinople, hoping to gain autonomy for their nation within the Ottoman Empire. 1906 (MCMVI) was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ...

1908 Albanian intellectuals meet in Bitola and choose the Latin alphabet as standard script rather than Arabic or Cyrillic. Year 1908 (MCMVIII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Tuesday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ...

1912 May
Albanians rise against the Ottoman authorities and seize Skopje. 1912 (MCMXII) was a leap year starting on Monday in the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Tuesday in the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ...

October
First Balkan War begins, and Albanian leaders affirm Albania as an independent state.

November
Muslim and Christian delegates at Vlorë declare Albania independent and establish a provisional government.

December
Ambassadorial conference opens in London and discusses Albania's fate. Half of Albanian territories are given to neighboring states, Yugoslavia and Greece.

1913 May
Treaty of London ends First Balkan War. Second Balkan War begins. Year 1913 (MCMXIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ...

August
Treaty of Bucharest ends Second Balkan War. Great Powers recognize an independent Albanian state ruled by a constitutional monarchy.

1914 March
Prince Wilhelm, German army captain, installed as head of the new Albanian state by the International Control Commission, arrives in Albania. Year 1914 (MCMXIV) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Wednesday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ...

September
New Albanian state collapses following outbreak of World War I; Prince Wilhelm is stripped of authority and departs from Albania.

1918 November
World War I ends, with Italian army occupying most of Albania and Serbian, Greek and French force occupying remainder. Italian and Yugoslav powers begin struggle for dominance over Albanians. 1918 (MCMXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. ...

December
Albanian leaders meet at Durrës to discuss presentation of Albania's interests at the Paris Peace Conference.

1919-1938

1919 January
Serbs attack Albania's inhabited cities. Albanians adopt guerrilla warfare. Year 1919 (MCMXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar). ...

June
Albania denied official representation at the Paris Peace Conference; British, French, and Greek negotiators later decide to divide Albania among Greece, Italy, and Yugoslavia.

1920 January
Albanian leaders meeting at Lushnjë reject the partitioning of Albania by the Treaty of Paris, warn that Albanians will take up arms in defense of their territory, and create a bicameral parliament. Year 1920 (MCMXX) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display 1920) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

February
Albanian government moves to Tirana, which becomes the capital. Nickname: Coordinates: , Country Albania Founded 1614 Elevation 295 ft (90 m) Population (2005 est)[1]  - City 585,756  - Metro 700,000 Tirana (Albanian: Tiranë or Tirana) is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Albania. ...

September
Albania forces Italy withdraw its troops and abandon territorial claims to almost all Albanian territory.

December
Albania admitted to League of Nations as sovereign and independent state.

1921 November
Yugoslav troops invade Albanian territories they had not previously occupied; League of Nations commission forces Yugoslav withdrawal and reaffirms Albania's 1913 borders. Year 1921 (MCMXXI) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar). ...

December
Popular Party, headed by Xhafer Ypi, forms government with Ahmed Zogu, the future King Zog, as internal affairs minister.

1922 August
Ecumenical patriarch in Constantinople recognizes the Autocephalous Albanian Orthodox Church. Year 1922 (MCMXXII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

September
Zogu assumes position of prime minister of government; opposition to him becomes formidable.

1923 Albania's Sunni Muslims break last ties with Constantinople and pledge primary allegiance to native country. Year 1923 (MCMXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

1924 March
Zogu's party wins elections for National Assembly, but Zogu steps down after financial scandal and an assassination attempt. For the rap album, see 1924 (album). ...

July
A peasant-backed insurgency wins control of Tirana; Fan S. Noli becomes prime minister; Zogu flees to Yugoslavia.

December
Zogu, backed by Yugoslav army, returns to power and begins to smother parliamentary democracy; Noli flees to Italy.

1925 May
Italy, under Mussolini, begins penetration of Albanian public and economic life. Year 1925 (MCMXXV) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

1926 November
Italy and Albania sign First Treaty of Tirana, which guarantees Zogu's political position and Albania's boundaries. Year 1926 (MCMXXVI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

1928 August
Zogu pressures the parliament to dissolve itself; a new constituent assembly declares Albania a kingdom and Zogu becomes Zog I, "King of the Albanians." Year 1928 (MCMXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

1931 Zog, standing up to Italians, refuses to renew the First Treaty of Tirana; Italians continue political and economic pressure. Year 1931 (MCMXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1931 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

1934 After Albania signs trade agreements with Greece and Yugoslavia, Italy suspends economic support, then attempts to threaten Albania. Year 1934 (MCMXXXIV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display full 1934 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

1935 Mussolini presents a gift of 3,000,000 gold francs to Albania; other economic aid follows. 1935 (MCMXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar). ...

1939-1945

1939 March
Year 1939 (MCMXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

March 17 In Rome, the German Ambassador to Italy informs Mussolini that Germany is ready to support Italy in occupying Albania.

March 25 In Tirana, the Italian Ambassador to Albania hands over to King Zog an ultimatum demanding the surrender of Albania to an Italian protectorate.

April In the beginning of April, the Albanian army mobilizes.
is the 76th day of the year (77th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see Rome (disambiguation). ... Mussolini redirects here. ... is the 84th day of the year (85th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Nickname: Coordinates: , Country Albania Founded 1614 Elevation 295 ft (90 m) Population (2005 est)[1]  - City 585,756  - Metro 700,000 Tirana (Albanian: Tiranë or Tirana) is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Albania. ... Zog I, Skanderbeg III of Albania (born Ahmet Zogolli, later changed to Ahmet Zogu) (October 8, 1895 – April 9, 1961) was King of Albania from 1928 to 1939. ... This article is about states protected and/or dominated by a foreign power. ...

April 5 Leka, the heir to the Albanian throne, is born.

King Zog appeals to the democracies.

April 6 King Zog appeals to the Balkan Entente.

April 7 Italian troops invade Albania: 50,000 Italian marines land in the ports of Durrës, Vlorë, Shëngjin and Sarandë. The Albanian army resists, especially in Durrës.

King Zog's wife, Queen Geraldine Apponyi, and their infant son Leka flee to Greece. King Zog follows them.

April 8 Italian troops occupy Tirana at 9:30 AM. During the afternoon motorized columns reach Shkodër and Elbasan. The Italian commander, General Alfredo Guzzoni, lands in Tirana and shortly afterwards the Italian foreign minister, Count Ciano, also arrives by air and tells an Albanian delegation that the Italian troops have come to ensure order, prosperity, and progress, without interfering with Albania's existence as a nation.

April 12 A Constituent Assembly, summoned by the provisional committee of pro-Italian notables which has taken over the administration, meets in Tirana and approves a personal union with Italy: Italy's King Victor Emmanuel III is to become the King of Albania.

Shefqet Bej Verlaci becomes prime minister. His cabinet includes Xhemil Dino (foreign minister), Fejzi Alizoti (finance), Xhafer Ypi (justice), Andon Beça (economy), and Ernest Koliqi (education).

Shefqet Bej Verlaci also becomes the acting Head of State until Victor Emmanuel III comes to the throne.

April 14 Albania withdraws from the League of Nations.

April 16 An Albanian delegation headed by the new prime minister goes to the Quirinale in Rome to formally offer the crown of Albania to Victor Emmanuel III. Italy's King accepts the crown.

April 22 Francesco Jacomoni di San Savino is appointed the king's lieutenant-general (viceroy) in Albania.

1940 The constitution of Albania is voided. A local Fascist party is established. The Albanian army is merged in the Italian army. The National Assembly and the government are subject to the Italian viceroy and his officials. Italy wins the support of a part of Albanians by defending Albania's claims to Kosovo and Çamëria. is the 95th day of the year (96th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Leka Zogu (born April 5, 1939), by monarchists called King Leka I, is the only son of King Zog I and Queen Geraldine. ... is the 96th day of the year (97th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... April 7 is the 97th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (98th in leap years). ... View of Durrës Durrës (Greek: Δυρράχιον dyrakhion, Επίδαμνος epidamnos, Latin: Dyrrhachium, Italian: Durazzo, Turkish: Dıraç, Bulgarian, Serbian and Macedonian: Драч) is the most ancient and one of the most economically important cities of Albania. ... Vlorë(Albanian: Vlorë or Vlora, (locally) Vlonë or Vlona, Italian: , Greek: , Turkish: ) is the second largest port city of Albania, after Durrës, with a population of about 85,000 (2003 estimate). ... Shëngjin (Albanian for St. ... Sarandë (Albanian: Sarandë, IPA or ; , Forty Saints; Greek: Άγιοι Σαράντα or Ágii Saránda, Italian: Santi Quaranta), is the capital of the District of Sarandë in Albania, and it is one of the most important tourist attractions of the Albanian Riviera. ... Countess Geraldine Margit Virginia Olga Maria Apponyi de Nagy-Appony (6 August 1915 - 22 October 2002) was briefly Queen Geraldina of the Albanians. ... April 8 is the 98th day of the year (99th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Ãœsküdar, a district of Istanbul, was also known as Scutari. ... Elbasan (Albanian: Elbasan or Elbasani) is a city in central Albania. ... Alfredo Guzzoni (1877-1965) was an Italian military officer who served in both World Wars. ... Gian Galeazzo Ciano, Count of Cortellazzo and Buccari (March 18, 1903 – January 11, 1944), was Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Benito Mussolinis son-in-law. ... is the 102nd day of the year (103rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... A constituent assembly is a body elected with the purpose of drafting, and in some cases, adopting a constitution. ... It has been suggested that Dynastic union be merged into this article or section. ... Victor Emmanuel III (Italian: ; 11 November 1869 – 28 December 1947) was King of Italy (29 July 1900 – 9 May 1946), Emperor of Ethiopia (1936–43) and King of Albania (1939–43). ... Shefqet Bej Verlaci (December 15, 1877, Elbasan, Albania – July 21, 1946, Zürich, Switzerland) was Prime Minister of Albania in 1924 and during the Italian occupation from 1939 to 1941. ... Xhemil Bej Dino (born in 1894) was an Albanian diplomat. ... Fejzi Bej Alizoti was an Albanian politician. ... Xhafer Bej Ypi (1880 - December 1940), a Bektashi Muslim, was an Albanian politician. ... Andon Beça was an Albanian politician. ... is the 104th day of the year (105th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The League of Nations was an international organization founded as a result of the Paris Peace Conference in 1919–1920. ... is the 106th day of the year (107th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... An etching of the Hill, crowned by the mass of the Palazzo del Quirinale, from a series I Sette Colli di Roma antica e moderna published in 1827 by Luigi Rossini (1790 - 1857): his view, from the roof of the palazzo near the Trevi Fountain that now houes the Accademia... is the 112th day of the year (113th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1940 (MCMXL) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full 1940 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see Kosovo (disambiguation). ... Çamëria (or Chameria) is the Albanian name for a region which was once part of the Roman Empire, then the Byzantine Empire, and later the Ottoman Empire. ...

October Italian army attacks Greece through Albania.

October 28 From Albania, Italian forces (157,000 men) commanded by General Visconti Prasca invade Greece. A contingent of Albanian auxiliary forces (12,000 men) participate in Italy's campaign against Greece.

1941 April Germany, with support of Italy and other allies defeat Greece and Yugoslavia. is the 301st day of the year (302nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see 1941 (disambiguation). ... Yugoslavia (Jugoslavija in the Latin alphabet, Југославија in Cyrillic; English: South Slavia, or literary The Land of South Slavs) describes three political entities that existed one at a time on the Balkan Peninsula in Europe, during most of the 20th century. ...

October Josip Broz Tito, Yugoslav communist leader, directs organizing of Albanian communists. Josip Broz Tito (Cyrillic: Јосип Броз Тито, May 7, 1892 [May 25th according to official birth certificate] – May 4, 1980) was the leader of the Second Yugoslavia, which lasted from 1943 until 1991. ...

November Albanian Communist Party founded; Enver Hoxha becomes first secretary. The Albanian Party of Labour (Partia e Punës e Shqipërisë, PPSh) was the sole legal political party in Albania during communist rule (1946-1991). ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

November 8 The Albanian Communist Party is founded.

December is the 312th day of the year (313th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Albanian Party of Labour (Partia e Punës e Shqipërisë, PPSh) was the sole legal political party in Albania during communist rule (1946-1991). ...

December 3 Mustafa Merlika Kruja becomes Prime Minister.

1942 September 1942
The Albanian Communist Party organizes the National Liberation Movement, a popular front resistance organization. is the 337th day of the year (338th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link will display the full 1942 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Albanian Party of Labour (Partia e Punës e Shqipërisë, PPSh) was the sole legal political party in Albania during communist rule (1946-1991). ... A popular front is a broad coalition of different political groupings, often made up of leftists and centrists who are united by opposition to another group (most often fascist or far-right groups). ... A resistance movement is a group or collection of individual groups, dedicated to fighting an invader in an occupied country or the government of a sovereign nation through either the use of physical force, or nonviolence. ...

September 16, 1942 is the 259th day of the year (260th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

At the Peza Conference, the National Liberation Movement is established.

October 1942
Noncommunist nationalist groups form to resist the Italian occupation.

1943 August
Italy's surrender to Allied forces weakens Italian hold on Albania; Albanian resistance fighters overwhelm five Italian divisions. Year 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link will display full 1943 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... In general, allies are people or groups that have joined an alliance and are working together to achieve some common purpose. ...

September

German forces invade and occupy Albania.

1944 January
The Communist partisans, supplied with British weapons, gain control of the southern Albania. Year 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

May 1944
The Communists meet to organize an Albanian government; Hoxha becomes chairman of executive committee and supreme commander of the National Liberation Army. This article does not cite any references or sources. ... National Liberation Army is the name of several groups: National Liberation Army of Albania Macedoinian National Liberation Army Algerian National Liberation Army National Liberation Army (Bolivia). ...

July 1944
The Communist forces enter central and northern Albania.

October 1944
The Communists establish a provisional government with Hoxha as prime minister.

November 1944
The Germans withdraw from Tirana, the Communists move into the capital. Nickname: Coordinates: , Country Albania Founded 1614 Elevation 295 ft (90 m) Population (2005 est)[1]  - City 585,756  - Metro 700,000 Tirana (Albanian: Tiranë or Tirana) is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Albania. ...

December 1944
The Communist provisional government adopts laws allowing state regulation of commercial enterprises, foreign and domestic trade.

1945 January
Communist provisional government agrees to restore Kosovo to Yugoslavia as an autonomous region; tribunals begin to condemn thousands of "war criminals" and "enemies of the people" to death or to prison. Communist regime begins to nationalize industry, transportation, forests, pastures. Year 1945 (MCMXLV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar). ...

April
Yugoslavia recognizes communist government in Albania.

August
Sweeping agricultural reforms begin; about half of arable land eventually redistributed to peasants from large landowners; most church properties nationalized. United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration begins sending supplies to Albania.

November
Soviet Union recognizes provisional government; Britain and United States make full diplomatic recognition conditional.

December
In elections for the People's Assembly only candidates from the Democratic Front are on ballot.

1946-1989

1946 January
People's Assembly proclaims Albania a "people's republic"; purges of noncommunists from positions of power in government begins. Year 1946 (MCMXLVI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full 1946 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Spring People's Assembly adopts new constitution, Hoxha becomes prime minister, foreign minister, defense minister, and commander-in-chief; Soviet-style central planning begins.

July
Treaty of friendship and cooperation signed with Yugoslavia; Yugoslav advisers and grain begin pouring into Albania.

October
Unauthorized British destroyers hit mines off Albania's coast (near Corfu); United Nations (UN) and the International Court of Justice unfairly condemn Albania.

November
Albania breaks diplomatic relations with the United States after latter withdraws its informal mission.

1947 April
Economic Planning Commission draws up first economic plan that established production targets for mining, manufacturing and agricultural enterprises. Year 1947 (MCMXLVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1947 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

May
UN commission concludes that Albania, together with Bulgaria and Yugoslavia, supports communist guerrillas in Greece; Yugoslav leaders launch verbal offensive against anti-Yugoslav Albanian communists, including Hoxha; pro-Yugoslav faction begins to wield power.

July
Albania refuses participation in the Marshall Plan of the United States.

1948 February-March
Albanian Communist Party leaders vote to merge Albanian and Yugoslav economies and militaries. Year 1948 (MCMXLVIII) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the 1948 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

June
Cominform expels Yugoslavia; Albanian leaders launch anti-Yugoslav propaganda campaign, cut economic ties, and force Yugoslav advisers to leave; Stalin becomes national hero in Albania.

September
Hoxha begins purging high-ranking party members accused of "Titoism"; treaty of friendship with Yugoslavia abrogated by Albania; Soviet Union begins giving economic aid to Albania and Soviet advisers replace ousted Yugoslavs.

November
First Party Congress changes name of Albanian Communist Party to Albanian Party of Labor.

1949 January
Regime issues Decree on Religious Communities. Year 1949 (MCMXLIX) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

February
Albania joins Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (Comecon); all foreign trade conducted with member countries.

December
Pro-Tito Albanian communists purged.

1950 Britain and United States begin inserting anticommunist Albanian guerrilla units into Albania; all are unsuccessful. Year 1950 (MCML) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

July
A new constitution is approved by People's Assembly. Hoxha becomes minister of defense and foreign minister.

1951 February
Albania and Soviet Union sign agreement on mutual economic assistance. Year 1951 (MCMLI) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

1954 July
Hoxha relinquishes post of prime minister to Mehmet Shehu but retains primary power as party leader. Year 1954 (MCMLIV) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

1955 May
Albania becomes a founding member of the Warsaw Pact. Year 1955 (MCMLV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1955 Gregorian calendar). ...

1956 February
After Nikita Khrushchev's "secret speech" exposes Stalin's crimes, Hoxha defends Stalin; close relations with Soviet Union become strained. A car from 1956 Year 1956 (MCMLVI) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

1959 Large amounts of economic aid from Soviet Union, East European countries, and China begin pouring into Albania. Year 1959 (MCMLIX) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

May
Khrushchev visits Albania.

1960 June
Albania sides with China in Sino-Soviet ideological dispute; consequently Soviet economic support to Albania is curtailed and Chinese aid is increased. Year 1960 (MCMLX) was a leap year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

November
Hoxha rails against Khrushchev and supports China during an international communist conference in Moscow.

1961 February
Hoxha harangues against the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia at Albania's Fourth Party Congress. Year 1961 (MCMLXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

December
Soviet Union breaks diplomatic relations; other East European countries severely reduce contacts but do not break relations; Albania looks toward China for support.

1962 Albanian regime introduces austerity program in attempt to compensate for withdrawal of Soviet economic support; China incapable of delivering sufficient aid; Albania becomes China's spokesman at UN. Year 1962 (MCMLXII) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

1964 Hoxha hails Khrushchev's removal as leader of the Soviet Union; diplomatic relations fail to improve. Also Nintendo emulator: 1964 (emulator). ...

1966 February
Hoxha initiates Cultural and Ideological Revolution. Year 1966 (MCMLXVI) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the 1966 Gregorian calendar. ...

March
Albanian Party of Labor "open letter" to the people establishes egalitarian wage and job structure for all workers.

1967 Hoxha regime conducts violent campaign to extinguish religious life in Albania; by year's end over two thousand religious buildings were closed or converted to other uses. Year 1967 (MCMLXVII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the 1967 Gregorian calendar. ...

1968 August
Albania condemns Soviet-led invasion of Czechoslovakia, subsequently Albania withdraws from Warsaw Pact. Year 1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

1976 September
Hoxha begins criticizing new Chinese regime after Mao's death. Year 1976 Pick up sticks(MCMLXXVI) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

December
A new constitution promulgated superseding the 1950 version; Albania becomes a people's socialist republic.

1977 Top military officials purged after "Chinese conspiracy" is uncovered. Also: 1977 (album) by Ash. ...

1978 July
China terminates all economic and military aid to Albania. Year 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar). ...

1980 Hoxha selects Ramiz Alia as the next party head, bypassing Shehu. Year 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar). ...

1981 December
Shehu, after rebuke by Politburo, kills himself, possibly murdered on Hoxha's orders. Year 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays the 1981 Gregorian calendar). ...

1982 November
Alia becomes chairman of Presidium of the People's Assembly. Year 1982 (MCMLXXXII) was a common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar). ...

1983 Hoxha begins semiretirement; Alia starts administering Albania. Year 1983 (MCMLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar). ...

1985 April
Hoxha dies. This article is about the year. ...

1986 November
Alia featured as party's and country's undisputed leader at Ninth Party Congress. Year 1986 (MCMLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar). ...

1987 August
Greece ends state of war that existed since World War II. Year 1987 (MCMLXXXVII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar). ...

November
Albania and Greece sign a series of long-term agreements.

1989 September
Alia, addressing the Eighth Plenum of the Central Committee, signals that radical changes to the economic system are necessary. Year 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar). ...

1990-Present

1990 January
Ninth Plenum of the Central Committee; demonstrations at Shkodër force authorities to declare state of emergency. Year 1990 (MCMXC) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar). ...

April
Alia declares willingness to establish diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union and the United States.

May
The Secretary General of the UN visits Albania.

May
Regime announces desire to join the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe. People's Assembly passes laws liberalizing criminal code, reforming court system, lifting some restrictions on freedom of worship, and guaranteeing the right to travel abroad.

Summer Unemployment throughout the economy increases as a result of government's reform measures; drought reduces electric-power production, forcing plant shutdowns.

July
Young people demonstrate against regime in Tirana, and 5,000 citizens seek refuge in foreign embassies; Central Committee plenum makes significant changes in leadership of party and state. Soviet Union and Albania sign protocol normalizing relations.

August
Government abandons its monopoly on foreign commerce and begins to open Albania to foreign trade.

September
Alia addresses the UN General Assembly in New York.

October
Tirana hosts the Balkan Foreign Ministers' Conference, the first international political meeting in Albania since the end of World War II. Ismail Kadare, Albania's most prominent writer, defects to France.

December
University students demonstrate in streets and call for dictatorship to end; Alia meets with students; Thirteenth Plenum of the Central Committee of the APL authorizes a multiparty system; Albanian Democratic Party, first opposition party established; regime authorizes political pluralism; draft constitution is published; by year's end, 5,000 Albanian refugees had crossed the mountains into Greece.

1991 January
First opposition newspaper Rilindja Demokratike begins publishing. Thousands of Albanians seek refuge in Greece. Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the 1991 Gregorian calendar). ...

March
Albania and the United States reestablish diplomatic relations after a thirty-five year break. Thousands more Albanians attempt to gain asylum in Italy.

March-April
First multiparty elections held since the 1920s; 98.9 percent of voters participated; Albanian Party of Labor wins over 67 percent of vote for People's Assembly seats; Albanian Democratic Party wins about 30 percent.

April
Communist-dominated People's Assembly reelects Alia to new presidential term. Ministry of Internal Affairs replaced by Ministry of Public Order; Frontier Guards and Directorate of Prison Administration are placed under the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Justice, respectively. People's Assembly passes Law on Major Constitutional Provisions providing for fundamental human rights and separation of powers and invalidates 1976 constitution. People's Assembly appoints commission to draft new constitution.

June
Prime Minister Nano and rest of cabinet resign after trade unions call for general strike to protest worsening economic conditions and killing of opposition demonstrators in Shkodër. Coalition government led by Prime Minister Ylli Buti takes office; Tenth Party Congress of the Albanian Party of Labor meets and renames party the Socialist Party of Albania (SPA); Albania accepted as a full member of CSCE; United States secretary of state, James A. Baker, visits Albania.

July
Sigurimi, notorious secret police, is abolished and replaced by National Information Service.

August
Up to 18,000 Albanians cross the Adriatic Sea to seek asylum in Italy; most are returned. People's Assembly passes law on economic activity that authorizes private ownership of property, privatizing of state property, investment by foreigners, and private employment of workers.

October
United States Embassy opens in Tirana. Albania joins International Monetary Fund.

December
Coalition government dissolves when opposition parties accuse communists of blocking reform and Albanian Democratic Party withdraws its ministers from the cabinet. Prime Minister Bufi resigns and Alia names Vilson Ahmeti as Prime Minister. Alia sets March 1992 for new elections.

1992 February
The People's Assembly prevents OMONIA, the party representing Greek Albanians, from fielding candidates in the elections planned for March. Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ...

March 22 and 29
In the midst of economic freefall and social chaos, a decisive electoral victory is won by the anticommunist opposition led by the Democratic Party. The Democrats win 62% of the votes and achieve an overall majority with 92 of the 140 seats in the parliament. The Socialists, with 26% of the vote, win 38 seats. Turnout is 90%.

April 3
Alia resigns as president and is succeeded on April 9 by Sali Berisha, the first democratic leader of Albania since Bishop Noli. The first non-Communist government, headed by Aleksander Meksi, is elected on April 13. Its stated priority is to establish law and order to transform the paralyzed economy through a reform program emphasizing a free-market economy and privatization. Sali Berisha and George W. Bush   (born October 15, 1944) is the Prime Minister of the Republic of Albania. ...

April 16
Eduard Selami is elected chairman of the Democratic Party.

June
Albania signs the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Pact with ten other countries, including six former Soviet republics.

Mid-July
The Albanian Communist Party is outlawed, and its chairman, Hysni Milloshi, is arrested in Tirana and charged with illegally carrying a gun.

July 26
Four months after its March defeat, the Socialist Party makes impressive gains in the country's first democratic local elections. The Democratic Party wins 43.2% of the vote, compared to 41.3% cast for the Socialists. Continued economic hardships, general apathy, and a split within the Democratic Party contributed to its poor showing. It holds local administrative control in most large cities, while the Socialists control much of the countryside.

Mid-September
Former President Alia is detained, joining eighteen other former communist officials, including Nexhmije Hoxha, who are charged with corruption and other offenses. (Xhuglini) Nexhmije Hoxha [IPA: dʒuglini nɛdʒmijɛ hɔdʒa] (born 7 February 1921, Monastir [now Bitola], Macedonia) is the widow of the Albanian leader Enver Hoxha. ...

November 3
The split in the Democratic Party grows into a rift when a group of reform-minded Democrats break away and form a new party, the Democratic Alliance.

December
Albania is granted membership of the Organization of the Islamic Conference and in the same month applies to join NATO, becoming the first former Warsaw Pact country formally to seek membership in the Western alliance. The flag of the Organ of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Membership in the OIC:  Member Members once temporarily suspended Withdrew Observer Attempted to join but blocked OIC redirects here. ... This article is about the military alliance. ... Not to be confused with the Warsaw Convention, which is an agreement about airlines financial liability and the Treaty of Warsaw (1970) between West Germany and the Peoples Republic of Poland. ...

1993 January 27
Nexhmije Hoxha is sentenced to nine years' imprisonment, having been found guilty of embezzling state funds. Year 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar). ...

February
Former prime minister Vilson Ahmeti is placed under house arrest, following charges of corruption. Vilson Ahmeti (born 1951) is an Albanian political figure. ...

March
The secretary-general of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation visits Tirana. NATO 2002 Summit in Prague The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), also called the North Atlantic Alliance, the Atlantic Alliance or the Western Alliance, is an international organisation for collective security established in 1949, in support of the North Atlantic Treaty signed in Washington, DC, on 4 April 1949. ...

April
Albania recognizes the Republic of Macedonia. For an explanation of terms related to Macedonia, see Macedonia (terminology). ...

April 25
Pope John Paul II makes a historic visit. (The last pope to travel to Albania - in 1464 - died en route.) Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Wycliffe Tyndale · Luther · Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Pope · Archbishop of Canterbury Patriarch of Constantinople Christianity Portal This box:      The Pope (from Latin... Coat of Arms of Pope John Paul II. The Letter M is for Mary, the mother of Jesus, to whom he held strong devotion Pope John Paul II (Latin: , Italian: Giovanni Paolo II, Polish: Jan PaweÅ‚ II) born   []; 18 May 1920 – 2 April 2005) reigned as the 264th Pope of...

May
Nexhmije Hoxha's prison sentence is increased by two years.

July
Albania expels a Greek Orthodox cleric, who is alleged to have distributed maps showing southern Albania as Greek territory. Greece subsequently deports thousands of illegal Albanian migrant workers.

July 30
The leader of the Socialist Party, former prime minister Nano, is arrested on allegations of abuse of power.

August
Alia is arrested on charges of abuse of power.

September
Ahmeti is sentenced to two years' imprisonment.

September
President Berisha and President Momir Bulatovic of Montenegro meet in Tirana to discuss ways of improving Albanian-Montenegrin relations. Momir Bulatovic (born September 21, 1956) is a former President of Montenegro and Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. ... This article is about the country in Europe. ...

October
Greece recalls its ambassador for consultations after a series of border incidents and alleged human rights abuses in Albania.

References

Data as of 1993. This article contains material from the Library of Congress Country Studies, which are United States government publications in the public domain. The Country Studies are works published by the Federal Research Division of the Library of Congress ( USA), freely available for use by researchers. ... The U.S. Constitution, adopted in 1789 by a constitutional convention, sets down the basic framework of American government in its seven articles. ... The public domain comprises the body of all creative works and other knowledge—writing, artwork, music, science, inventions, and others—in which no person or organization has any proprietary interest. ...

See also

• History of Albania
• Timeline of Albanian history from 1994

This article briefly outlines each period in the history of Albania; details are presented in separate articles (see the links in the box and below). ... Timeline of Albanian history from 1994 1994 Albanias postcommunist transformation continues, with more progress in some areas than others. ...

External links

• Country Studies On-Line at the Library of Congress