On July 15, 1862, the Durrës Committee came out with a Memo addressed to the European public opinion, against the intentions of Athens for the annexation of South Albania, and announced that the Albanians, even though their case was not supported by European diplomacy, were determined to fight, under the banner of Skanderbeg, to liberate their homeland.

On July 15, 1901, the “Agimi” Literary Society, led by Ndre Mjeda, was founded in Shkodër.

On July 15, 1915, the patriot, popular leader Mehmet Shpendi was killed. He was born in Dukagjin in 1851. He fought for the protection of the territorial integrity of the country against the partition decided by the Congress of Berlin. He organized the resistance against the Young Turk regime in Shkodër and Dukagjin. He was one of the leaders of the insurgent forces for the liberation of Skopje, and of the resistance against the entry of Montenegrin forces in Shala of Dukagjin.

On July 15, 1915, Çerçiz Topulli, a patriot and prominent activist of the Renaissance, leader of the armed war against the Ottoman rulers for the national liberation of the country, a hero of the people, was martyred. He was born in Gjirokastër in 1880. In April 1907, he commanded the armed detachment operating in South Albania, especially in the provinces of Gjirokastër and Korça. He led the epic war of Mashkullora on March 18, 1908. After the victory of the Young Turk revolution of 1908, Çerçiz Topulli worked for the formation of Albanian clubs and the opening of Albanian schools in different parts of the country. After the Declaration of Independence of Albania, on November 28, 1912, he was put in the service of the government of Ismail Qemali and fought for the protection of the territorial integrity of the homeland. He was killed on July 15 in the Field of Shtoi (Shkodër) by the Montenegrin invaders. In 1937, the remains of Çerçiz Topulli were placed in his home city of Gjirokastër.

On July 15, 1935, poet, songwriter, translator Gjok Vata was born in Vermosh. He studied piano forte and singing at the Artistic High School. For a democratic point of view, he is excluded from school. With a limited contribution, he managed to win two prizes at the National Children’s Festival in Shkodër with the songs ‘Pema e fëmija’ /The tree and the child/ and ‘Miresevjen Dallendyshe’ /Welcome swallow/. He is author of the soundtrack of the documentary movie “My Enemy”, shot by RAI in 1993 in the north of Albania. He was the first to sing “Ave Maria” by Schubert, at the first mass of the reopening of religious temples in 1990. He has published volumes of poetry and journalistic writings. He is a participant in the RTSH Light Song Festival with “Yjet qe adhuroj” /Stars I Adore/ and “Natë vjeshte” /Fall Evening/. It holds the title Pride of the city of Shkodër.

On July 15, 1936, the first issue of the political and social newspaper ‘Shkëndia’ /The Spark/ came out by of Albanian patriots in Romania. 11 issues followed until 1938. It was published in Albanian and Romanian, demanding a popular front against fascism. Main publishers were Arqile Eftimiu, Dhimitër Kristo Rrembeci and others.

On July 15, 1952, the writer Skënder Rusi was born in Korca. In 1984 he graduated in dramaturgy and in 1998 he became a library director in Cairo. He is appreciated for his contribution as the chairman of the League of Writers and Artists of the city of Korça. Skënder Rusi, the genius of letters, of modern times, does not write verses on white paper, he throws notes on the pentagram, and he sings it in the depths of his soul, as Dritëro Agolli has put it. His creations have been included in the anthologies of several European countries such as Germany, Switzerland, North Macedonia, Kosova, Greece, etc.

July 15, 2002, “Guidelines on Human Rights and the Fight against Terrorism” were passed.

/a.p./