Thirty years ago today, on June 22, 1991, thousands of Tirana citizens poured into the streets and reserved a rock star reception to the then US Secretary of State James Baker who visited the Albanian capital, becoming the first top US official that would place foot in the post-communism Albania, in the first months of the political pluralism.

Baker was received by Prime Minister Ylli Bufi and had a meeting with President Ramiz Alia. The visit and reception showed the connections with the United States had remained alive at the Albanian people.

The General Directorate of Archives reminded today Baker’s visit by publishing a picture of some 300,000 Albanians in the streets and Scanderbeg square to see and listen to the US Secretary of State.

"On behalf of President Bush (Senior) and of the American people, I come here today to tell you that freedom works”, Baker addressed to the thousands jammed in Tirana’s main square. “″At last you are free to think your own thoughts. At last you are free to speak your own minds. At last, you are free to choose your own leaders. Albanians have chosen to join to the society of the free people of the world. Welcome to the society of free men and women. You are with us and we are with you”.

Mr. Secretary said he had never seen such a reception in his political career. “This makes everything even more extraordinary. This expression of affection and support stems from what America represents for the peoples that for a long time had nothing to lean their hopes on”.

Albania and the United States reestablished on March 1991 the diplomatic relations that were interrupted after the end of the World War 2, with William Ryerson the first US Ambassador after the collapse of communism.

US Secretary of State Baker visited Albania just three months after the reopening of the US Embassy in Tirana.