v18_2438 - ALBANIE - RÉPUBLIQUE PUIS ROYAUME D'ALBANIE - ZOG Essai de 100 francs or 1927 Rome

ALBANIA - REPUBLIC, THEN KINGDOM OF ALBANIA - ZOG

(1925-1928-1939)

Georges Castriota Scanderberg (1403-1468) was taken hostage at the age of seven by the Turks and became the favorite of Sultan Mourad II. He deserted the Turkish army in 1443, after the defeat of Nis. He returned to Christianity, seized Kruje and led guerrilla warfare against the Turks, then signed a ten-year truce with them in 1461. After his death in 1468, the Turks seized Albania, which was only independent in 1912. It joined the League of Nations in 1920, while Italy guaranteed its independence by the Treaty of Tirana. Ahmed Zogou seized power in 1922, was elected president of the republic in 1925 and was proclaimed king in 1928. He was overthrown on April 7, 1939 when the Italians seized Albania in a week. Victor-Emmanuel III becomes King of Albania.