The date is November 28th, 1912. From the balcony of Xhemil Bey Vlora’s house, the forty delegates unveil the national flag and declare Albania a sovereign state. Ismail Qemali, the architect of independence and Prime Minister of the new state, had this to say to the crowd that had gathered to witness the historic event:
Oh, what happiness I feel today to see this many Albanians gathered here in Vlora as one, awaiting with curiosity and impatience the conclusion of this decisive meeting for the fate of our beloved Fatherland. With tears of joy in my eyes, I have come here to share with you the happy tidings: that today, effective this very moment, our Congress has declared our independence, entrusting me to lead the provisional government of a free Albania.
It seems to me a dream, this great change in our country, which has suffered terribly for five hundred years under Turkish occupation, but which in recent times was ready to sacrifice itself once and for all, to risk being erased from the face of the Earth. This Albania which, once upon a time, shone through the unmatched bravery of its sons. This Albania which, when Europe was threatened by the Turkish menace, under its immortal hero Skanderbeg, became the iron gate that guarded it against the furious attacks of Turkey’s most aggressive sultans.
But, as God has willed it, through the effort, bravery and courage of the Albanians, the misery and suffering of our Fatherland has come to an end. From now on, we are free, independent and self-determined; so smile and rejoice!
For this great and fortunate day to materialize, it has taken the blood of the martyrs and the invaluable work of our patriots, of all of our friends who took part in this meeting, and all of you, whose hearts are now pounding with a great joy. The Assembly has tasked me, as an elder, with raising our holy national symbol: the flag we have loved and dreamt of.
This, then, is our red flag with its two-headed eagle in the middle.
Now it falls upon all of us, as a united whole, to work for, protect and civilize our free Fatherland as it deserves.
I have nothing left to say except to direct a prayer toward the almighty God, that, together with his blessings he may make us deserving of this day, and that he accept me as the first martyr for the Fatherland, just as I had the honor and good fortune to be the first to kiss the flag and let it fly freely.
Our flag, in our free Fatherland.
Long Live the Flag!
Long Live Albania!
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