Thomas Woodrow Wilson, the 28th president of the United States of America, was born on December 28, 1856.

The figure of President Wilson is related to the international recognition of the Albanian state and the territorial integrity of Albania.

His words “Albania ought to be independent” (“Albania should be independent”) were essential in the international recognition of the Albanian state and in Albania’s admission to the League of Nations.

Among the documents of the Central State Archive related to the figure of President Wilson is also a letter from some Albanian students in Vienna, who request the support of the President for the benefit of Albania. In the photos provided by the General Directorate of Archives, the content of the letter and its signatories can be clearly distinguished.

“If in the decision of peace, a nation is left unknown and will be used so unjustly, can peace ever be ensured in that part of the world? Albania, as the London Conference limited it, could never live, it had the seed of death in its blood since its birth. In this way, Lord, until now the world has used us cruelly, therefore we raise our voice to You, as the protector of mankind, knowing for sure that the participation of the United States under the just and honest leadership of Your Lordship in Peace Congress, justice will be fulfilled and the Albanians, having the right to self-vote on their form of government, will have the permission, as a free nation, to enter the League of Nations”, is written in the letter addressed to President Wilson.

At the end, the letter closes with the names of the students who addressed to the American president: “On behalf of the Albanian students in Vienna, the humble, Jan Basho, Remzi Baçe, H. Hifzi, Nush Bushati, Djevat Korça, Luigj Kakariqi, Gjovalin Gjiadri, Raku Buda , Fuad Aslan. Wien, Austria, 15/12/918.”

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