-On January 18, 1918, the US president Woodrow Wilson, based on the right of each country to self-determination, did not allow the further fragmentation of Albania. Thanks to this attitude, today’s Albania was internationally recognized as an independent state.

-On January 18, 1935, the politician, writer, humanist Pjetër Arbnori was born in Durrës. He completed higher studies for Language and Literature. In 1961 he was arrested on political reasons and released in 1989. Since 1991, he has been elected as a member of parliament and was also elected as Speaker of the Assembly of Albania. He was also engaged in literary creativity while in prison. He has published three books. He passed away at the age of 71, on July 8, 2005 in a hospital in Naples.

-On January 18, 1944, the Nazi occupiers committed a massacre Dangëllia area. 18 men were tortured and massacred. 120 houses were burned, and thousands of bags were stolen, while hundreds of families were looted.

-On January 18, 1957, Merita Dabulla was born in Tirana. Her talent made her a well-known dancer. She has interpreted, in the ballet “Cuca e Maleve” /The Girl of the Mountains/, as well as at “The Fisherman’s Family”. She has given more than 30 premieres. As an actress, the public remembers her in the movies: “The Balloons”, “The Warm Hand”, “The Weight of Time”, and “Two Times Check Mate”.

-On January 18, 1991, the first mosque in Tirana was reopened. His Grace, Hafiz Sabri Koçi was elected president of the Muslim Community of Albania.

/a.p./