The Albanian Flag Day, also known as the Albanian Independence Day, observed on 28 November commemorates the declaration of Albanian independence from Ottoman rule in 1912.
For years leading to the declaration, Albanian leaders fought for cultural and political autonomy within the empire. The goal seemed to be at hand during negotiations after a successful uprising in 1912.
The situation changed, however, when the Balkan states declared war on the Ottoman Empire and planned, among others, to divide the Albanian districts among themselves.
As a countermeasure, on 28 November 1912, 83 delegates from all parts of Albania met at Vlorë, where their leader, Ismail Qemal, declared Albania an independent state.