On June 16, 1478, Kruja, the main and most heroic Albanian castle, fell into the hands of the Ottoman Turks after the fourth besiege of the city.

On June 16, 1832, Kushe Mica, the first Albanian teacher of girls, was born in Shkodër. In August 1859, she opened the Albanian school for girls, otherwise known as the “Kushe Mica’s School”, which accepted generations of girls for 45 consecutive years.

On June 16, 1882, our Arbëresh compatriot from Gaetano Petrota was born in Hora Arbëreshe, in Sicily. His study “Test of comparative phonetics of the Albanian language”, published in 1924, was awarded a prize by the Italian Lincej Academy. But his masterpiece remains “Albanian people, language and literature”, which came to light in 1931. Petrota is the founder of the chair of Albanian language and literature at the University of Palermo in 1932, which he directed until he passed away in 1952.

On June 16, 1917 was born Prof. Qazim Turdiu, outstanding researcher and lecturer of mathematical sciences. He graduated in mathematics and physics at the University of Montpellier in France. After returning to his homeland, he taught at the High School of Tirana and then at that of Shkodër. Professor Turdiu is among the first professors of the University of Tirana, head of the mathematics department in the engineering faculties. In 1970 he was given the title “Professor” and “Teacher of the People”. After 1981, the respected scientist was subjected to personal and family persecutions. After his return from exile, Qazim Turdiu passed away in Tirana in 1989.

On June 16, 1924, the Provisional Government headed by Fan Noli was established.

On June 16, 1929, the second Congress of Albanian Orthodoxy was convened. He approved the Autocephalous Status of the Albanian Orthodox Church. With this act, also legally, the Canon of the highest mechanisms of the Albanian Orthodox Church was completed, ensuring its national character.

On June 16, 1930, by Royal Decree, the Honorary Vice-Consulate of the Kingdom of Albania was opened in Patras, Greece.

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