Kosovo Constitution Day – April 9, 2024

History of Kosovo Constitution Day

Modern-day Kosovo has been part of several empires and nations over the past few centuries. It was ruled over by the Ottoman Empire for about four centuries before being handed over to Serbia after the First Balkan War. It was partitioned between Serbia and Montenegro and then absorbed by Yugoslavia. During the second world war, Italian forces took control over Kosovo until Nazi Germany took control. By the end of the Second World War, Kosovo was back within Yugoslavia.

By 1981, riots broke out and were violently suppressed when Kosovo Albanians began demanding a full republic status. The next decade saw political leaders cultivating the fear felt by the Serbian minority in Kosovo and Kosovo Albanians protesting for a separate state. The year 1998 saw a violent police and military campaign against the protesters. After nearly 80 days of NATO-led bombings, Belgrade lost its control over Kosovo, and the latter finally began the process of obtaining independence.

The United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 1244 on June 10, 1999, which formed the basis for the constitutional developments in Kosovo. Kosovo officially declared its independence from Serbia on February 17, 2008. The United States was the first country to acknowledge Kosovo as a country on February 18. To date, several countries from across the globe have officially recognized Kosovo’s independence from Serbia. The country’s constitution was drafted on April 7, 2008 and was ratified by the Kosovar people on April 9.