Based on reporting by dpa and ITAR-TASS

Albania is marking 100 years since declaring independence.The main event of the day was held in the port city of Vlore, where Albanian leaders declared independence from the Ottoman Empire on November 28, 1912.Festivities are also planned in the capital, Tirana, with an evening of celebrities and dignitaries.Albanian President Bujar Nishani, Prime Minister Sali Berisha, and Kosovo's Prime Minister Hashim Thaci are expected to join tens of thousands of people for celebrations lasting until late into the night.During World War II, Albania was occupied by fascist Italy, and then by Nazi Germany.After the war, a communist dictatorship under Enver Hoxha took power.After the fall of communism, Albania also embarked on reforms to become a parliamentary democracy.Albania joined NATO in 2009, and is applying for EU membership.