On February 17, 1889, the clergyman Justin Rrota was born in Shkodër. He received his theological studies in Klagenfurt, Austria. Justin Rrota was one of the most prominent Albanian Franciscans. He was the first who in 1929 brought to Albania three photographed copies of Don Gjon Buzuku’s Mass from the only copy kept in the Apostolic Library of the Vatican. He died in Shkodra on December 21, 1964.

On February 17, 1946, Ndrec Ndue Gjoka, a teacher of the People, was killed. He was born in Klos of Mirdita in 1919. With his initiative, within a few months, 51 primary schools were opened in Mirdita, in the fight against illiteracy after the WWII in Albania. For the first time, girls and women participated in open schools and courses. He was killed by mercenary gangs because of his patriotic activity in the opening of Albanian schools in Mirdita and the emancipation of Albanian women.

On February 17, 1999, the ambassadors of the 16 NATO member countries met in order to inform the high authorities of Great Britain and France about the course of negotiations at the Rambouillet Conference. The NATO Council had concluded that no agreement had yet been reached, as the Serbian side opposed this.

On February 17, 2008, the Assembly of the Republic of Kosova announced the Declaration of Independence of Kosova. In a meeting attended by 109 out of a total of 120 deputies, the Assembly of Kosova unanimously declared Kosova an independent state.

The legality of Kosovo’s Declaration of Independence has been a controversial topic for some time. Serbia, objecting, asked for an evaluation of the international validity and support for its position, allegedly that the Declaration of Independence of Kosova was illegal. Following this development, in October 2008, Serbia requested an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice. On July 22, 2010, the International Court of Justice found that Kosova’s Declaration of Independence did not violate international law. The declaration of Independence of Kosova on February 17, 2008, was the crowning of a painful journey of tears and blood for the citizens of Kosova.

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