In May 1456, the philosopher Nikola Leonik Tomeu, or as he was often called the Epirote, was born in Venice in a family exiled from Durrës. He was one of the most prominent Albanian humanists. As a political scientist and a good connoisseur of ancient culture and time, Tomeu has left “Ten dialogues”, “Aristotle, the history of life and works”, and other historical and philosophical studies. The Albanian humanist was a materialist and his works were burned by the inquisition.

 On May 7, 1947, the patriot, Teacher of the People, Jani Minga, passed away. He was the initiator of the opening of the first school in Albanian and the “Labëria” Club in Vlora in 1908. He fought for a national and secular school, for a democratic and progressive society and state. He was exiled by the Italians in 1920 for his patriotic activities.

On May 7, 1933, the nightingale of Kosova, Nexhmie Pagarusha, was born in the village of Pagarusha in Malisheva. She was sducated for 3 years in Belgrade, at the music school for singing. Her 40-year musical career is so extensive that it is difficult to say which genre she belongs to. She is known for her excellent performance both in folk music and opera, but also had a successful career as an actress, in move pictures and theater too. She had her first professional commitment at Radio Prishtina, where in 1948 she was introduced as a singer. She had her first stage appearance in Belgrade, while her musical career ended with a concert in Sarajevo in 1984. She could once again return to the stage, in 2000, when he performed the song ‘Për ty” /For you/ in Tirana. Among the 150 songs she performed, “Baresha”, composed by her husband Rexho Mulliqi and with lyrics by Rifat Kukaj, remains unforgettable, but also “Zambaku i Prizren” /The lily of Prisren/ and many others. Nexhmije Pagarusha received many awards, including “Singer of the Century” in Kosova and the “Honour of the Nation” Order in Albania, awarded by late President Bujar Nishani, in 2012.

On May 7, 1997, the pioneer of Albanian combat aviation, Babaçe Faiku passed away. He was among the main organizers of the Air Force and its first commander.

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