Liberation Day (Albania)

Liberation Day (

After Italy was defeated by the Allies, Germany occupied Albania in September 1943, dropping paratroopers into Tirana before the Albanian guerrillas could take the capital, and the German army soon drove the guerrillas into the hills and to the south. Berlin subsequently announced it would recognize the independence of a neutral Albania and organized an Albanian government, police, and military. Many Balli Kombëtar units collaborated with the Germans against the communists, and several Balli Kombëtar leaders held positions in the German-sponsored regime.^[2]

The partisans entirely liberated Albania from German occupation on November 29, 1944. The National Liberation Army, which in October 1944 consisted of 70,000 regulars, also took part in the war alongside the antifascist coalition. By that time, the Red Army was also entering neighboring Yugoslavia, and the German Army was evacuating from Greece into Yugoslavia.^{[citation needed]}

Commemoration

Communist era origins

The holiday was first proclaimed in the early 1950s as a day of commemoration. During the era of the

A commemorative coin called "50 Qindarka" was issued by the Bank of Albania in honor of the 25th anniversary of the Liberation of Albania. Qemal Stafa Stadium was renovated in time for the 30th anniversary in 1974.

In the 50s and 60s, Albanians at foreign universities such as