After declaring independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1912, Albania was conquered by Italy in 1939 and then occupied by Germany in 1943. The country was taken over by communist partisans in 1944. Albaniai, first allied itself first with the USSR (until 1960), andthen with China (until 1978). In the early 1990s established a multiparty democracy.
"Xhiro" is a popular tradition in Albania where families go for an evening stroll every day. Often during this time roads will be closed to allow the pedestrians to walk freely.