History of Albania in Timeline

Albania, a southeastern European country in the Balkans, borders Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Greece. Characterized by diverse geography, it encompasses the Albanian Alps and other mountain ranges, as well as fertile plains along its Adriatic and Ionian coastlines. Covering 28,748 square kilometers, the country is home to major cities like Tirana (the capital), Durrës, Vlorë, and Shkodër.

November 1912: Albanian Declaration of Independence

A significant event in Albanian history took place in November 1912 when the nation boldly declared its independence from the Ottoman Empire.

December 1912: Establishment of the Senate and Government

Following the declaration of independence, December 1912 saw the formation of the Senate and Government in Albania.

1912: Albanian Declaration of Independence

Albania declared independence in 1912, marking the beginning of its journey through various political systems.

1912: Independence of Albania

Albania declared its independence in 1912, marking a pivotal moment in its history. Ismail Qemali raised the Albanian flag, featuring the double-headed eagle, in Vlorë, symbolizing the nation's newfound sovereignty.

1912: Adoption of National Anthem

Following Albania's independence in 1912, "Himni i Flamurit," composed by Asdreni, was officially adopted as the national anthem.

1912: Albania's Internal Organization Reforms Since Independence

Since its independence in 1912, Albania has undergone 21 internal organization reforms.

1912: First Movie Theater in Albania

The first movie theater dedicated solely to showcasing motion pictures opened its doors in Shkodër, Albania, in 1912.

July 1913: Treaty of London Defines Albanian Borders

In July 1913, the Treaty of London formally established the borders of Albania, defining its territory and relations with neighboring countries.

October 1913: Establishment of the International Commission of Control

To oversee the administration of the newly independent Albania, the International Commission of Control was established in October 1913.

November 1913: Ottoman Loyalists Offer Throne to Ahmed Izzet Pasha

In a show of lingering Ottoman loyalty, Albanian pro-Ottoman factions offered the Albanian throne to Ahmed Izzet Pasha, an Ottoman official of Albanian descent, in November 1913.

February 1914: Proclamation of the Autonomous Republic of Northern Epirus

February 1914 saw the short-lived proclamation of the Autonomous Republic of Northern Epirus by the local Greek populace, resisting incorporation into Albania.

June 1914: International Gendarmerie Joined by Isa Boletini

Isa Boletini, along with his forces, primarily from Kosovo, joined the International Gendarmerie in June 1914.

August 1914: Rebels Capture Central Albania

By August 1914, rebel forces successfully gained control over a significant portion of Central Albania.

September 1914: Prince Wied's Regime Collapses

Marking a turning point, September 1914 witnessed the collapse of Prince Wied's regime, leading to his departure from the country.

1918: Congress of Durrës Seeks Protection

In 1918, the Congress of Durrës, seeking stability for Albania, appealed for protection from the Paris Peace Conference, but their request was ultimately denied.

1919: Serbian Attacks on Albanian Inhabitants

Tensions escalated in 1919 as Serbian forces carried out attacks on Albanian communities, notably in Gusinje and Plav, resulting in massacres and widespread displacement.

1921: Incorporation of Southern Provinces into Albanian Principality

In 1921, the southern provinces, once part of the short-lived Autonomous Republic of Northern Epirus, were integrated into the Albanian Principality.

1924: Fan Noli Becomes Prime Minister

The year 1924 saw the rise of Fan Noli as Prime Minister, who sought to implement reforms, including establishing a Western-style government and addressing social and economic issues.

1928: Zog I Becomes King of Albania

Marking a significant shift in governance, Zog transitioned Albania from a republic to a monarchy in 1928, crowning himself King Zog I.

1939: Italian Invasion and the Creation of Greater Albania

In 1939, Italy, led by Benito Mussolini, invaded Albania, resulting in the establishment of an Italian protectorate. This period saw the concept of a "Greater Albania" emerge, aiming to unite territories with Albanian-majority populations.

1939: Italian Invasion and Protectorate

In 1939, Italy, under Benito Mussolini, invaded Albania, leading to the establishment of an Italian protectorate.

1943: Nazi Germany Assumes Control of Albania

With Italy's hold on power weakening in 1943, Nazi Germany seized control of Albania, subjecting the Albanian population to forced labor, exploitation, and oppression.

1944: Liberation of Albania from German Occupation

A pivotal moment in Albanian history came in 1944 when Albanian partisan forces, under the leadership of Enver Hoxha and other communist figures, successfully liberated Albania from German occupation.

1946: Balkan Cup Champions

The Albania national football team emerged victorious in the Balkan Cup in 1946.

1946: Nationalization of Religious Estates

The year 1946 marked a significant shift in Albania's religious landscape. The government nationalized religious estates and closed or repurposed religious institutions.

1953: Release of "The Great Warrior Skanderbeg"

The Albanian-Soviet epic film "The Great Warrior Skanderbeg," chronicling the life and struggles of the medieval Albanian hero Skanderbeg, premiered in 1953.

1954: "The Great Warrior Skanderbeg" Wins at Cannes Film Festival

The Albanian-Soviet epic film "The Great Warrior Skanderbeg" garnered international acclaim by winning an award at the 1954 Cannes Film Festival.

1955: Albania Joins the United Nations

Albania became a member of the United Nations (UN) in 1955 after a period of isolation during the communist era.

1961: Diplomatic Separation with the Soviet Union

In 1961, disagreements over Soviet policies led to strained ties between Albania and Moscow, culminating in their diplomatic separation.

1962: Inauguration of Festivali i Këngës

Festivali i Këngës, a significant Albanian song contest, was inaugurated in 1962. Organized by RTSH, the festival has played a crucial role in launching the careers of renowned Albanian singers.

1968: Withdrawal from the Warsaw Pact

Albania's relationship with the Soviet Union further deteriorated in 1968, leading to their withdrawal from the Warsaw Pact in response to the invasion of Czechoslovakia.

1970: Reassessment of Relations with China

Following a period of strong alliance, Albania's relationship with China stagnated in 1970, prompting both countries to reassess their commitment. Albania actively worked to reduce its dependence on China.

1972: First Olympic Games Participation

Albania made its inaugural appearance at the Olympic Games in 1972, marking the country's entry into the global sporting event.

1972: World Weightlifting Championships Gold Medal

The Albanian weightlifting team achieved a significant milestone by winning a gold medal at the World Weightlifting Championships in 1972.

July 1973: Record High Temperature

Albania experienced its highest ever recorded temperature in July 1973, reaching 43.9 °C (111.0 °F) in Kuçovë.

1976: Establishment of the World's First Constitutionally Atheist State

In 1976, Albania became the world's first constitutionally atheist state, enforcing a secular way of life and socialist ideology while suppressing religious beliefs.

1979: Start of Population Growth Period

From 1979, Albania's population began a period of steady growth.

1980: Olympic Boycott

Albania joined the boycott of the 1980 Olympic Games, a politically charged event.

1984: Olympic Boycott

Albania participated in the boycott of the 1984 Olympic Games.

1987: Mediterranean Games Participation

Albania participated in the Mediterranean Games for the first time in 1987, which were held in Syria.

1988: Albania's Active Troops Number

In 1988, Albania had 65,000 active troops.

1989: Peak Population Reached

Albania's population peaked at 3.1 million in 1989.

1989: Rise of Political Activism and Transformation

Following the revolutions of 1989, Albania experienced a surge in political activism, particularly among students, leading to a period of transformation and challenging the existing communist order.

1991: First Multi-Party Elections

A significant political milestone was reached in 1991 when Albania held its first multi-party elections. While the communist party retained a presence in parliament, it marked a shift towards a more democratic system.

1991: Decline in Science and Technology Professionals in Albania

Following the collapse of communism in 1991, Albania witnessed a substantial decrease in human resources within the fields of science and technology.

1991: Fall of Communism and Establishment of the Republic

The year 1991 witnessed the fall of communism in Albania, paving the way for the establishment of the current Republic of Albania.

1992: Return to the Olympics

After missing previous editions, Albania returned to participate in the Olympic Games held in Barcelona in 1992.

1992: Defeat of the Communist Party

The year 1992 marked a turning point in Albanian politics, as the communist party was defeated in the parliamentary elections by the Democratic Party.

1994: Joining the Convention on Biological Diversity

In 1994, Albania became a signatory to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), underscoring its commitment to preserving its rich biodiversity.

1996: Albania's Military Spending as a Percentage of GDP

Albania's military spending was approximately 1.5% of its GDP in 1996.

1996: Collapse of Pyramid Schemes and Onset of Protests

The collapse of government-backed pyramid schemes in late 1996 triggered widespread protests across Albania, as citizens demanded their investments back.

February 1997: Escalation of Protests and Government Response

Initially peaceful protests against the government and the failed pyramid schemes turned violent in February 1997 when government forces clashed with demonstrators.

April 1997: Deployment of UN Peacekeeping Force

Following the unrest and civil war, Operation Alba, a UN peacekeeping mission led by Italy, was deployed to Albania in April 1997. The mission's objectives included aiding in the evacuation of foreign nationals and establishing security for international organizations involved in stabilizing the country.

1998: Establishment of Albania as a Parliamentary Republic

In 1998, Albania transitioned to a sovereign parliamentary constitutional republic, solidifying its democratic foundation.

July 2000: Recreation of Counties as Primary Administrative Units

Albania reintroduced counties as its primary administrative units in July 2000, consolidating the existing 36 districts.

2000: Shifting Trends in Foreign Language Interest

After 2000, there was a notable shift in foreign language interest among young people in Albania (aged 25 or less). English, German, and Turkish gained popularity, while Italian and French maintained stable interest. However, interest in Greek declined. These trends reflected changing cultural and economic influences.

2000: Global Healthcare Performance of Albania

In 2000, Albania held the 55th position in the World Health Organization's ranking of global healthcare performance.

2000: Malta Rothmans International Tournament Champions

The Albania national football team won the Malta Rothmans International Tournament in 2000.

2002: World Weightlifting Championships Silver Medal

The Albanian weightlifting team secured a silver medal at the World Weightlifting Championships in 2002.

2003: Press Freedom Index Ranking for Albania

Albania ranked 84th on the Press Freedom Index in 2020, as reported by Reporters Without Borders, indicating a steady decline in press freedom since 2003.

2003: Establishment of Tirana International Film Festival

The Tirana International Film Festival, the largest film festival in Albania, was inaugurated in 2003.

2005: Tourism Growth in Albania

Albania experienced a significant surge in tourist visits, from 500,000 in 2005 to an estimated 4.2 million in 2012.

2005: Decline in Science and Technology Professionals in Albania

Following the collapse of communism in 1991, Albania witnessed a substantial decrease in human resources within the fields of science and technology.

2006: Winter Olympic Games Debut

Albania participated in the Winter Olympic Games for the first time in 2006, expanding its presence in international winter sports.

February 2008: Albania Joins NATO's Operation Active Endeavor

Albania officially joined NATO's Operation Active Endeavor in the Mediterranean Sea in February 2008.

April 2008: Albania Invited to Join NATO

Albania received an invitation to join NATO in April 2008, marking a significant step in its international integration.

2008: Albania Recognizes Kosovo's Sovereignty

Albania demonstrated its strong support for Kosovo by recognizing its sovereignty early on, in 2008.

2008: Overview of Religious Places of Worship

By 2008, Albania had a diverse religious landscape with 694 Catholic churches, 425 Orthodox churches, 568 mosques, and 70 Bektashi takyas, reflecting the country's multifaceted religious makeup.

April 2009: Albania Becomes a Full NATO Member

Albania officially became a full member of NATO in April 2009, solidifying its commitment to collective defense.

April 2009: Application for EU Membership

On April 28 2009, Albania formally submitted its application to join the European Union (EU), signaling its commitment to Westernization and integration with European structures.

2009: Albania Joins NATO

Albania achieved a significant foreign policy milestone by joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 2009.

2009: Reduction of Albania's Active Troops

Albania significantly reduced its active troops to 14,500 by 2009.

2009: Fruit and Vegetable Supply in Albania

In 2009, Albania boasted a substantial fruit and vegetable supply of 886 grams per capita daily, placing it fifth-highest in Europe.

2009: Wine Production in Albania

In 2009, Albania produced an estimated 17,500 tonnes of wine, reflecting the country's long history of viticulture.

2009: National Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation in Albania

The Albanian government implemented the National Strategy for Science, Technology, and Innovation, aiming to enhance research and development from 2009 to 2015.

2010: Albania's Economic Growth After the Global Financial Crisis

Albania was one of only three European countries to experience economic growth in the first quarter of 2010, following the global financial crisis.

2010: Albania Adopts Voluntary Military Service

Military service in Albania became voluntary in 2010, with 19 years old as the minimum age for duty.

2011: Lonely Planet Names Albania Top Travel Destination

Lonely Planet recognized Albania as a top travel destination in 2011.

2011: Disputed Census Results on Ethnic Affiliation

The 2011 census in Albania, while showing an Albanian majority of 82.6%, faced criticism from minority groups who disputed the results. The Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities urged caution regarding the census data, particularly concerning the accuracy of nationality figures.

2011: Religious Diversity in Albania

The 2011 census revealed Albania's religious diversity, with 56.7% identifying as Sunni Muslim, 10.03% as Catholic, 6.75% as Eastern Orthodox, and a significant portion (13.79%) choosing not to declare their religion. Despite this diversity, Albania was considered among the least religious countries globally, with religion playing a central role for only 39% of the population.

2011: Controversy Surrounds Religious Data in Census

The 2011 census's religious data sparked controversy, with a significant number of respondents (70%) refusing to disclose their religious beliefs. The Albanian Orthodox Church and some Muslim Community officials contested the results, claiming underrepresentation of their respective faiths. The Catholic Church also raised concerns about the accuracy of the data.

2011: Dominance of Albanian Language and Rise of English

The 2011 population census confirmed Albanian as the dominant language in Albania, spoken by 98.8% of the population. However, due to significant emigration, over half of Albanians became bilingual, with English emerging as the most popular foreign language (40%), followed by Italian (27.8%) and Greek (22.9%).

2011: World Weightlifting Championships Bronze Medal

The Albanian weightlifting team earned a bronze medal at the World Weightlifting Championships in 2011.

2011: IMF Prediction for Albania's Economic Growth

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projected a 3.2% economic growth rate for Albania in 2011.

2012: Albania's Peak Environmental Performance Index Ranking

Albania achieved its highest ranking in the Environmental Performance Index in 2012, placing 15th.

2012: Tourism Growth in Albania

Albania experienced a significant surge in tourist visits, from 500,000 in 2005 to an estimated 4.2 million in 2012.

2012: Comparison of Albania's GDP to the EU Average

In 2012, Albania's GDP per capita was 30% of the European Union average, while its GDP (PPP) per capita was 35%.

2013: Mediterranean Games Success

By 2013, Albanian athletes had earned a commendable total of 43 medals at the Mediterranean Games, showcasing their prowess in various sports.

2013: Edi Rama's First Term as Prime Minister

Edi Rama, leader of the Socialist Party, won the 2013 parliamentary elections, marking the beginning of his first term as prime minister. His tenure focused on economic and institutional reforms.

June 2014: Granting of EU Candidate Status

In June 2014, Albania achieved a significant step towards EU membership by being granted official candidate status, recognizing its progress in meeting the required criteria.

2014: Albania Granted EU Candidate Status

Albania was granted candidate status for European Union (EU) membership in 2014 and has since been working towards aligning with EU standards.

2014: Durrës Port Passenger Volume

Durrës, Albania's largest seaport, handled approximately 1.5 million passengers in 2014, making it one of the busiest passenger ports in the Adriatic Sea.

2014: Albania as a Global Tourist Destination

The New York Times recognized Albania as the world's fourth most popular tourist destination in 2014.

2014: Inaugural Albania-Kosovo Joint Meeting

The first joint meeting between the governments of Albania and Kosovo took place in 2014, establishing a platform for strengthening bilateral cooperation.

August 2015: Highest FIFA Ranking

The Albania national football team achieved its highest ever FIFA ranking in August 2015, reaching the 22nd position.

2015: Summer Tourism Boom in Albania

Albania saw a 25% increase in summer tourism in 2015 compared to the figures from 2014.

2015: Unification of Urban and Rural Municipalities

Albania simplified its local governance structure by unifying urban and rural municipalities into a single system in 2015.

2015: Access to Improved Sanitation in Albania

In 2015, the Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply and Sanitation (JMP) reported that roughly 93% of Albania's population had access to enhanced sanitation facilities.

2015: National Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation in Albania

The Albanian government implemented the National Strategy for Science, Technology, and Innovation, aiming to enhance research and development from 2009 to 2015.

2015: Infant Mortality Rate in Albania

The infant mortality rate in Albania was estimated to be 12 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2015.

June 2016: Historic Victory in UEFA Euro 2016

Albania secured a historic win against Romania in June 2016 during their first-ever appearance at the UEFA European Championship.

December 2016: Albania's Economic Growth According to Forbes

According to Forbes, Albania's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was growing at a rate of 2.8% in December 2016.

2016: Obesity Rate in Albania

According to the World Health Organization, 21.7% of adults in Albania were classified as clinically overweight in 2016, with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25 or higher.

2016: Albania's Unemployment Rate

Albania had a relatively low unemployment rate of 14.7% in 2016, the fourth lowest in the Balkans.

2016: Growth of Textile Industry in Albania

By 2016, the textile industry in Albania experienced significant growth, with an annual growth rate of 5.3% and a turnover of roughly 1.5 billion euros annually.

January 2017: Record Low Temperature

The coldest temperature ever documented in Albania occurred in January 2017 in Shtyllë, Librazhd, plummeting to -29 °C (−20 °F).

2017: Grammy Award Nomination

Albanian opera singer Saimir Pirgu received a nomination for the prestigious Grammy Award in 2017, highlighting Albanian talent on the international stage.

2017: Edi Rama's Second Term and Gender Equality Focus

Edi Rama secured a second term as prime minister in the 2017 parliamentary elections. His second term prioritized economic reforms, institutional democratization, and placed a strong emphasis on gender equality, with a significant increase in female representation in ministerial positions.

2017: FIFA Ranking

The Albania national football team held the 51st position in the FIFA World Rankings in 2017.

2018: Telecommunications Sector Growth in Albania

By 2018, Albania's telecommunications sector had experienced significant growth, with Vodafone Albania, Telekom Albania, and Albtelecom emerging as major providers of mobile and internet services. According to the Electronic and Postal Communications Authority (AKEP), there were approximately 2.7 million active mobile users and 1.8 million active broadband subscribers in the country.

November 2019: Devastating Earthquake Strikes Albania

A powerful 6.4 magnitude earthquake hit Albania in November 2019, causing significant damage in Durrës and Kodër-Thumanë. The international community, including the Albanian diaspora, provided substantial aid in response to the disaster.

2019: Albania's Forest Landscape Integrity Index Score

In 2019, Albania scored 6.77 out of 10 in the Forest Landscape Integrity Index, ranking 64th globally.

2019: UNESCO World Heritage Site

The Natural and Cultural Heritage of the Ohrid region site, shared with North Macedonia, was inscribed on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2019.

2019: Tirana International Airport Passenger Traffic

Tirana International Airport, the country's primary airport, served over 3.3 million passengers in 2019, offering connections to numerous destinations across Europe, Africa, and Asia.

March 2020: COVID-19 Confirmed in Albania

March 2020 marked the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic in Albania, prompting the government to implement measures to contain the virus.

June 2020: End of State of Emergency

After implementing a state of emergency to manage the COVID-19 pandemic, the Albanian government lifted the measure in June 2020.

2020: Press Freedom Index Ranking for Albania

Albania ranked 84th on the Press Freedom Index in 2020, as reported by Reporters Without Borders, indicating a steady decline in press freedom since 2003.

2020: Notre Dame Global Adaptation Index

In 2020, Albania was ranked 79 out of 181 countries in the Notre Dame Global Adaptation Index for its vulnerability to climate change risks.

2020: Albanian Population Estimated at 2,845,955

In 2020, the Institute of Statistics (INSTAT) estimated Albania's population to be 2,845,955. Notably, the country had a low total fertility rate of 1.51 children per woman, contributing to its status as one of the least densely populated countries in the Balkans, with 259 inhabitants per square kilometer.

January 2021: Launch of COVID-19 Vaccination Campaign

Albania initiated its nationwide COVID-19 vaccination program in January 2021, aiming to immunize its population against the virus.

August 2021: Progress of COVID-19 Vaccination Campaign

By August 2021, Albania had administered over 1,280,239 doses of COVID-19 vaccines as part of its ongoing vaccination efforts.

2021: Birth Rate 20% Higher Than in 2022

In 2021, Albania's birth rate was 20% higher than in 2022, highlighting the significant impact of emigration on the country's demographics.

2021: Socialist Party's Third Consecutive Victory

The Socialist Party, led by Edi Rama, secured a third consecutive victory in the 2021 parliamentary elections, winning a majority of votes and the ability to govern independently.

2022: Sharp Decline in Birth Rate

Albania experienced a 20% decline in its birth rate in 2022 compared to the previous year. This decline was largely attributed to the emigration of individuals of childbearing age, further impacting the country's population trends.

2022: Albania's Environmental Performance Index Ranking

Albania ranked 62nd out of 180 countries in the 2022 Environmental Performance Index.

2022: Significant Emigration from Albania

Over 46,000 people emigrated from Albania in 2022, marking a 10% increase from the previous year and highlighting the ongoing trend of population decline.

January 2023: Albania Launches First Satellites

In a historic moment for the country, Albania successfully launched its first two satellites, Albania 1 and Albania 2, into orbit in January 2023. This achievement marked a significant step forward in Albania's ability to monitor its territory and combat illegal activities.

December 2023: Albania Announces Collaboration with ChatGPT

Prime Minister Edi Rama revealed plans for a partnership between the Albanian government and the artificial intelligence program ChatGPT in December 2023. The collaboration, facilitated by discussions with Albanian-American engineer Mira Murati, aimed to streamline the alignment of Albanian laws with European Union regulations, potentially reducing translation and legal costs.

2023: Albania's Ranking in the Global Innovation Index

Albania attained the 83rd position in the 2023 Global Innovation Index.

2023: Albania's Ranking in Energy Transition Index

Albania secured the 21st position globally in the World Economic Forum's 2023 Energy Transition Index (ETI), reflecting its significant progress in energy transition initiatives.