On July 17, Shën Asti, bishop of Durrës, is commemorated at the time of the persecution of Christians. Shën Asti was arrested by the Roman governor of Durrës, Agricola, around the year 98 AD, and was tortured to death, apparently because he refused to worship the God Dionysus.

On July 17, 1907, Kristo Kono, musician and composer, was born in Korca. After his clarinet debuts in the city band, he studied composition in Italy. Kristo Kono’s name is linked to the “Lira” choirthat was created by him. Part of Kristo Kono’s creativity are suites for orchestra, pieces for ensemble, flute, oboe, violin, piano, clarinet, without forgetting a large number of songs, romances, poems for choir, soloist and orchestra. The climax of his work is marked by the opera “The Flower of Memory”, staged in November 1961, the year he was awarded with the title “People’s Artist”.

On July 17, 1912, the uprising against the Young Turks spread to Gjakova. The Albanian uprising forced the Young Turk government of Sait Pasha to resign.

On July 17, 1924, Azem Galica, the popular fighter for liberation and national unification, was killed in battle at the age of 35. He was an active part of the national liberation movement in the anti-Ottoman uprisings of 1910-1912, and then against the Serbian, and Bulgarian invadading armies. He supported the mountain uprisings of northern Albania, and contributed to the June Democratic Revolution of 1924. Azem Galica, died in the defense of Drenica in July 1924.

On July 17, 1958, the first Albanian movie, “Tana” was featured. It was produced by New Albania Film Studio, directed by Kristaq Dhamos, screenplay by Fatmir Gjata, with the soundtrack by Çesk Zadeja. The events of the film speak  of in the 1950s lif Albanian countryside and the struggle of the new mentality against the old one.

On July 17, 1942, Myzafer Asqeriu, Hero of the People of the WWII National Resistance was killed at the age of 24.

On July 17, 1944, The nazy hanged two young Albanian Resistance women, Bule Naipi and Persefoni Kokëdhima in Gjirokastër.

On July 17, 1973, Dritan Dovolani was born, a professional Latin dancer. When he was 14 years old, his whole family left Kosova for the US. He started dancing folk dances since he was 3 years old, but only a few years later he would have the opportunity to dedicate himself to dancing professionally. He is the winner of several awards. Dritan Dovolani also received a nomination for the Emmy Award for his choreography, in the second season of the show, “Dancing with the Stars”.

On July 17, 1992, the Association of Professional and Business Women and the Albanian Women’s Business Network, a non-profit association, was established.

On July 17, 1998, over 200 Albanian civilians were killed during the fighting in Rahovec of Kosova. On the same day after the attack on the Trepça mine, the KLA took control of this town for the first time.

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