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Albania Celebrates 100 Years Since Declaration Of Independence

Musicians perform in the main square in Tirana, the Albanian capital.
1/16 Musicians perform in the main square in Tirana, the Albanian capital.
Albanians are celebrating 100 years since their country's declaration of independence on November 28, 1912. Albania was ruled by the Ottoman Empire from the late 14th century until the early 20th century, when a groundswell of nationalism led to the independence movement. Ethnic Albanians in Kosovo and Macedonia are also taking part in several days of celebrations that began on November 25. (16 PHOTOS)
Decorations surround a statue of Skanderbeg, the Albanian national hero, in central Tirana.
2/16 Decorations surround a statue of Skanderbeg, the Albanian national hero, in central Tirana.
Albanians are celebrating 100 years since their country's declaration of independence on November 28, 1912. Albania was ruled by the Ottoman Empire from the late 14th century until the early 20th century, when a groundswell of nationalism led to the independence movement. Ethnic Albanians in Kosovo and Macedonia are also taking part in several days of celebrations that began on November 25. (16 PHOTOS)
Children wear Albanian national dress in Tirana.
3/16 Children wear Albanian national dress in Tirana.
Albanians are celebrating 100 years since their country's declaration of independence on November 28, 1912. Albania was ruled by the Ottoman Empire from the late 14th century until the early 20th century, when a groundswell of nationalism led to the independence movement. Ethnic Albanians in Kosovo and Macedonia are also taking part in several days of celebrations that began on November 25. (16 PHOTOS)
4/16
Albanians are celebrating 100 years since their country's declaration of independence on November 28, 1912. Albania was ruled by the Ottoman Empire from the late 14th century until the early 20th century, when a groundswell of nationalism led to the independence movement. Ethnic Albanians in Kosovo and Macedonia are also taking part in several days of celebrations that began on November 25. (16 PHOTOS)
People celebrate in Tirana.
5/16 People celebrate in Tirana.
Albanians are celebrating 100 years since their country's declaration of independence on November 28, 1912. Albania was ruled by the Ottoman Empire from the late 14th century until the early 20th century, when a groundswell of nationalism led to the independence movement. Ethnic Albanians in Kosovo and Macedonia are also taking part in several days of celebrations that began on November 25. (16 PHOTOS)
Kosovar Albanian men wear traditional attire as they ride through Tirana.
6/16 Kosovar Albanian men wear traditional attire as they ride through Tirana.
Albanians are celebrating 100 years since their country's declaration of independence on November 28, 1912. Albania was ruled by the Ottoman Empire from the late 14th century until the early 20th century, when a groundswell of nationalism led to the independence movement. Ethnic Albanians in Kosovo and Macedonia are also taking part in several days of celebrations that began on November 25. (16 PHOTOS)
Albanian artist Saimir Strati appears in front of his mosaic of the Albanian flag at the Hotel Prishtina. The 65-square-meter mosaic, made of 1.35 million beans, earned Strati his seventh Guinness world record.
7/16 Albanian artist Saimir Strati appears in front of his mosaic of the Albanian flag at the Hotel Prishtina. The 65-square-meter mosaic, made of 1.35 million beans, earned Strati his seventh Guinness world record.
Albanians are celebrating 100 years since their country's declaration of independence on November 28, 1912. Albania was ruled by the Ottoman Empire from the late 14th century until the early 20th century, when a groundswell of nationalism led to the independence movement. Ethnic Albanians in Kosovo and Macedonia are also taking part in several days of celebrations that began on November 25. (16 PHOTOS)
Members of the Albanian minority in Macedonia celebrate Albanian Independence Day in Skopje.
8/16 Members of the Albanian minority in Macedonia celebrate Albanian Independence Day in Skopje.
Albanians are celebrating 100 years since their country's declaration of independence on November 28, 1912. Albania was ruled by the Ottoman Empire from the late 14th century until the early 20th century, when a groundswell of nationalism led to the independence movement. Ethnic Albanians in Kosovo and Macedonia are also taking part in several days of celebrations that began on November 25. (16 PHOTOS)
Macedonian Deputy Prime Minister Musa Xhaferi, Macedonian party leader Ali Ahmeti, Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha, and Kosovar Prime Minister Hashim Thaci were among the leaders celebrating Albanian independence in Skopje, Macedonia, on November 25.
9/16 Macedonian Deputy Prime Minister Musa Xhaferi, Macedonian party leader Ali Ahmeti, Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha, and Kosovar Prime Minister Hashim Thaci were among the leaders celebrating Albanian independence in Skopje, Macedonia, on November 25.
Albanians are celebrating 100 years since their country's declaration of independence on November 28, 1912. Albania was ruled by the Ottoman Empire from the late 14th century until the early 20th century, when a groundswell of nationalism led to the independence movement. Ethnic Albanians in Kosovo and Macedonia are also taking part in several days of celebrations that began on November 25. (16 PHOTOS)
Pupils from the Xhevdet Doda secondary school in Pristina, the capital of Kosovo, form the number 100 in the colors of the Albanian flag.
10/16 Pupils from the Xhevdet Doda secondary school in Pristina, the capital of Kosovo, form the number 100 in the colors of the Albanian flag.
Albanians are celebrating 100 years since their country's declaration of independence on November 28, 1912. Albania was ruled by the Ottoman Empire from the late 14th century until the early 20th century, when a groundswell of nationalism led to the independence movement. Ethnic Albanians in Kosovo and Macedonia are also taking part in several days of celebrations that began on November 25. (16 PHOTOS)
Decorations in Pristina, Kosovo
11/16 Decorations in Pristina, Kosovo
Albanians are celebrating 100 years since their country's declaration of independence on November 28, 1912. Albania was ruled by the Ottoman Empire from the late 14th century until the early 20th century, when a groundswell of nationalism led to the independence movement. Ethnic Albanians in Kosovo and Macedonia are also taking part in several days of celebrations that began on November 25. (16 PHOTOS)
Kosovo Albanians take part in a “Mustache Men” event to honor the whiskered independence leaders of 1912.
12/16 Kosovo Albanians take part in a “Mustache Men” event to honor the whiskered independence leaders of 1912.
Albanians are celebrating 100 years since their country's declaration of independence on November 28, 1912. Albania was ruled by the Ottoman Empire from the late 14th century until the early 20th century, when a groundswell of nationalism led to the independence movement. Ethnic Albanians in Kosovo and Macedonia are also taking part in several days of celebrations that began on November 25. (16 PHOTOS)
A young participant in the "Mustache Men" celebration
13/16 A young participant in the "Mustache Men" celebration
Albanians are celebrating 100 years since their country's declaration of independence on November 28, 1912. Albania was ruled by the Ottoman Empire from the late 14th century until the early 20th century, when a groundswell of nationalism led to the independence movement. Ethnic Albanians in Kosovo and Macedonia are also taking part in several days of celebrations that began on November 25. (16 PHOTOS)
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Albanians are celebrating 100 years since their country's declaration of independence on November 28, 1912. Albania was ruled by the Ottoman Empire from the late 14th century until the early 20th century, when a groundswell of nationalism led to the independence movement. Ethnic Albanians in Kosovo and Macedonia are also taking part in several days of celebrations that began on November 25. (16 PHOTOS)
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Albanians are celebrating 100 years since their country's declaration of independence on November 28, 1912. Albania was ruled by the Ottoman Empire from the late 14th century until the early 20th century, when a groundswell of nationalism led to the independence movement. Ethnic Albanians in Kosovo and Macedonia are also taking part in several days of celebrations that began on November 25. (16 PHOTOS)
Albanian leader Ismail Qemali (center) announces the declaration of independence to the public after the Assembly of Vlorë on November 28, 1912.
16/16 Albanian leader Ismail Qemali (center) announces the declaration of independence to the public after the Assembly of Vlorë on November 28, 1912.
Albanians are celebrating 100 years since their country's declaration of independence on November 28, 1912. Albania was ruled by the Ottoman Empire from the late 14th century until the early 20th century, when a groundswell of nationalism led to the independence movement. Ethnic Albanians in Kosovo and Macedonia are also taking part in several days of celebrations that began on November 25. (16 PHOTOS)
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Albania is marking 100 years since declaring independence.

The main event of the day was held in the port city of Vlore, where Albanian leaders declared independence from the Ottoman Empire on November 28, 1912.

Festivities are also planned in the capital, Tirana, with an evening of celebrities and dignitaries.

Albanian President Bujar Nishani, Prime Minister Sali Berisha, and Kosovo's Prime Minister Hashim Thaci are expected to join tens of thousands of people for celebrations lasting until late into the night.

During World War II, Albania was occupied by fascist Italy, and then by Nazi Germany.

After the war, a communist dictatorship under Enver Hoxha took power.

After the fall of communism, Albania also embarked on reforms to become a parliamentary democracy.

Albania joined NATO in 2009, and is applying for EU membership.

WATCH: Serbia's Albanians celebrate Flag Day.
Ethnic Albanians In Serbia Celebrate Albanian Flag Day
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Ethnic Albanians In Serbia Celebrate Albanian Flag Day
by RFE/RL

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Based on reporting by dpa and ITAR-TASS
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