Albanians in North America mark Nov. 28

TIRANA – Hundreds of Albanian-Americans gathered Sunday in the Belmont Section of the Bronx to raise the Albanian flag in celebration of Albania’s Independence Day.
The Vatican and the United States were the first two counties to recognize Albania’s independence.
Mark Gjonaj, the co-founder of the Albanian-American Community Association and the organizer of this historical event made sure that the streets of the Bronx were decorated with both Albania and American flags.
“Today, we are all Albanians,” said James Vacca, New York City Councilman, and a vivid supporter of both the Albanian and Kosovar communities of the Bronx.
Albanians living in the Canadian province of Ontario also raised the Albanian and Canadian flags at the provincial parliament building in Toronto in an annual ceremony also marked by speeches and a cocktail party.
Albanian communities across North America use Nov. 28 as a time to come together and celebrate their heritage.