1885 – Born, Bedri Pejani, was an Albanian political figure, signer of the Declaration of Independence of Albania, publicist and chairman of the Second League of Prizren. In the capacity of President of the Second League of Prizren, at the instigation of Prime Minister Mitrovica and Minister of Interior Deva, he mediated with the German military authorities for the creation of the SS Skanderbeg division. Scholars consider credible his statement about encouraging the creation of a division so that Albanians could arm themselves and not regret the end of the war. On October 14, 1912, a member of the committee, signed a memorandum to the Great Powers. He was elected representative of Plava, Guca, Gjakova and Peja, the delegate in the Assembly of Vlora, where he signed the Declaration of Independence with the logo Bedri Pejani. He was a founding member of the Committee “National Defense of Kosovo”, after the establishment of which he was appointed secretary and drafted the program. Translated into French the memoranda and protests drafted by Hoxha Kadri on behalf of the Committee, sent to the Paris Peace Conference. In 1920 he became the editor of the newspaper Populli based in Shkodra. He was elected deputy in the 1921 elections, in 1922 he was elected chairman of the People’s Party. That same year he suffered a stroke, which is why he was sent to Naples for treatment, where he later recovered. He supported the June Movement, and therefore escaped in December 1924, his political emigration lasted until 1930, when he was amnestied. In 1925, as a representative of the Committee for the Liberation of Kosovo, he became a member of Konare. He returned and stayed in Albania until 1935, while his name appeared in a report as part of the Communist Group of Tirana and in the Fier uprising, but without consequence for punishment. He then went to France until 1940. He returned to Albania and the new regime imprisoned him in Porto Palermo until September 13, 1943. On September 16, 1943 he was one of the founders of the Second League of Prizren and became a central figure of the movement. He was elected a member of the National Committee group, as well as a member of the Interim Executive Committee (KEP) in charge of Education. In 1943-1944 he was a deputy in the National Assembly, and from January to June 1944 he was chairman of the Second League of Prizren with the encouragement of Prime Minister Mitrovica and Minister of Interior Deva; also mediated with the Nazi authorities for the creation of the SS Skanderbeg Division.
1947– Born Sheh Ibrahim Haki Karbunara, was the sheikh of the Halvetii sect, the mufti of Lushnja, activist of the national cause, supporter of Ismail Qemal bey Vlora in the Declaration of Independence, initiator of the Lushnja Congress and supporter of the June Movement. During the Second World War he supported the National Liberation Movement and at the end of the war he was elected deputy of Lushnja. He was convicted by the communist regime with the first group of deputies from the hanging trial along with his son, Hyseni, who shot Josif Pashko.
1963 – Famous French singer-songwriter Edith Piaf dies in Grasse at the age of 47. During her 28-year career Piaf would leave her mark on the French music world with songs, La Vie en Rose, Milord, La Foule, and Padam Padam. She would also stand out as an actress starring in 10 movies. According to critics, she can be considered one of the most famous French singers of the twentieth century. Dozens of documentaries have been made about him.
1964 – The opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, will be the first to be broadcast live via satellite. 93 countries and about 5200 athletes would take part in these games. Two of the satellite systems that broadcast the event live in front of the eyes of the world were the US Syncon 3 and the European Relay 1. These games would be won by the US team, followed by the USSR team. , and in third place the host country, Japan.
1970 – In Canada, the so-called October Crisis’s abduction of Quebec Vice President. Pierre Laporte, No. 2 of the French-speaking region of Canada, was abducted and executed by the terrorist organization Front for the Liberation of Quebec. Another British diplomat would be abducted by the same organization, leading to a state of siege of the region by police and military forces. With the intervention of Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau and Regional President Robert Bourassa, the diplomat was released.
1973 – United States Vice President Spiro Agnew (of Greek descent) resigns following allegations of tax evasion. He would serve as White House Deputy Chief of Staff Richard Nixon from 1969-1973. This investigation would be initiated by the Maryland State Attorney George Beall. A year later, President Nixon himself would resign as a result of the Watergate Scandal.
1986 – A magnitude 5.7 earthquake shakes Central Salvador, Central America. This earthquake would cause a lot of damage to people and material. The death toll would be over 1,500 people while the injured nearly 20,000. The homeless numbered over 200,000. These strong tremors would also be felt in neighboring El Salvador, such as Guatemala and Honduras.
1991 – The famous Swiss footballer of Albanian origin Xherdan Shaqiri is born in Gjilan, Kosovo. Shaqiri would debut in his rich sporting career, with teams from Basel, Bayern, Inter, Stoke City, and most recently Liverpool. He will also be one of the key players of the Swiss national team, which will make a dignified appearance in the last decade. He has won 15 different international and personal trophies.
2015 – Two powerful bomb blasts rock the Turkish capital Ankara. As a result of these terrorist attacks, 102 innocent people would lose their lives and nearly 500 others would be injured. These attacks would be carried out by ISIS, which had penetrated deep into Turkish territory through secret cells. These would be some of the greatest acts of terror in this country for decades.
