On January 16, 1922, Zef Gjinali was ordained by Pope Ipeshkv, Abbot of Mirdita.

The Liberal-Democratic government of Fan Noli was elected on January 16, 1924. As prime minister, Noli announced agrarian reforms to eradicate feudalism and made some changes to the Constitution. 

On January 16, 1943, the Slabinja Assembly was held for the entire Korça District. In this gathering, the reconciliation of all the feuding tribes was achieved. Everything was done in the name of the high national interest and the fight against the invader.

On January 16, 1951, the Albanian patriot, writer, publicist Dom Ndoc Nikaj passed away. He was born in Shkodra on March 9, 1864. He was among the first Albanian prose writers who wrote prose in the Albanian language. He completed his initial studies at the Franciscans, and at the age of 13 he entered the Jesuits at the Pontifical College in Shkodra, which he successfully completed by becoming a priest in 1888.

After ordination as an assistant parish priest, he served in Shkodra for 2 consecutive years, then in the parish of Shkreli, Dajçi and Buna shore. In the spring of 1913, Ndoc Nikaj founded another newspaper, « Albanian Besa », which appeared two to four times a week until 1921. From July 29, 1915, this newspaper bore the masthead “Shkodra’s Voice”. In addition to publishing newspapers, Ndoc Nikaj also had his own small publishing company, Nikaj. After the declaration of Independence and the establishment of the Albanian government, Dom Ndoci did not have to engage in political activity. He died in the prison of Shkodra in January 1951. Ndoc Nikaj is the forerunner of prose in the Albanian language, with Mihal Grameno, Milto Sotir Gurra, Foqion Postolin, Filip Papajani, Mid-hat Frashëri, Ernest Koliqi and others.

On January 16, 1910, the patriot, Vasil Negovani, died in the Manastir Prison. He was accused by the anti-Albanian Greek clergy, as he demanded that the services in the Albanian Orthodox churches be conducted in the Albanian language. He remains one of many martyrs who sacrificed themselves for the Albanian language and culture.

On the occasion of the death of the patriotic priest Father Vasil Stiliad Negovani in Albania, Fan Noli held this prayer of inspiration in the church of Saint George, in Boston. As Fan Noli put it, Monsignor Vasili received the light of learning in Romania and Athens and suffice it to say that he was one of the few educated priests we have had in Albania.

/k.s/