Hungarian Republic Day is celebrated on October 23 every year. This day is to commemorate two major events in the history of Hungary. One is that the Hungarian people stand up against the Soviet Union, and the other is the establishment of Hungary in 1989. The Hungarian Revolution was an impulsive uprising that spread throughout Hungary. The whole country rebelled against the policies imposed on it by the local government and the Soviet Union. The revolution lasted from October 23 to November 10, 1956. Although the revolution failed, it played an important role in the disintegration of the Soviet Union many years later.
History of Hungarian Republic Day
After the end of World War II, Hungary has been under the control of the Soviet Union. Later, when democratic changes occurred in Austria, the Hungarians hoped for the same adjustment. Unfortunately, after the establishment of the Warsaw Pact in 1955, the hopes of the Hungarian people were shattered. In order to ask Hungary to carry out democratic changes and get rid of Soviet rule, Hungarian students held a protest in Budapest in 1956. It has the support of most people, and the number of protesters has been increasing, which has led to many protests across Hungary.
The Soviets tried to regain control by deploying tanks on the streets of Budapest. As a result, the Hungarian people rebelled against the local government until the Soviets called for a ceasefire and declared fair elections. The above event is called the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. To commemorate this event, the Hungarians announced the establishment of the Third Republic of Hungary on October 23, 1989. The Hungarians demanded some changes to the Hungarian Constitution, including allowing multi-party politics, public gatherings, and the establishment of separation of powers in the government.
Hungarian Republic Day Celebration
October 23 is Hungarian Republic Day. The main celebration will be a flag-raising ceremony in front of the parliament building at 9 am on October 23, followed by various programs in the afternoon, such as the prime minister’s keynote speech. The iconic symbol of this day is the Hungarian flag with a hole in the middle, which symbolizes the flag carried by the revolutionaries after they cut the communist Lakosi emblem from the middle in 1956.
Except for Christmas, most shops in Hungary are open on public holidays. Please note that if the holiday is a Monday, the museum and art gallery will not be open because they are closed every Monday. The bar and restaurant will be open. The Hungarian Parliament Building is free to enter on Republic Day, which means it will be busier than usual.
Some Facts about Hungary
1. Hungary used to be part of the Roman Empire. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the “Huns”—the people at the time—gave the country a name—Hungary.
2. It is one of the oldest countries in Europe. In contrast, Hungary’s territory is slightly smaller than Indiana. Hungary is also one of the 50 countries that lead the world in industrial carbon dioxide emissions.
3. Hungarian is a direct descendant of the Huns language. It is not an Indo-European language family. In addition to their mother tongue, many Hungarians speak English, German, French or (since World War II) Russian.
4. Communism rule became prominent in the country after World War II. By the late 1980s, the country owed $18 billion in debt, making it the country with the highest per capita debt in Europe.
5. Hungary joined NATO in 1999 and joined the European Union in 2004.
6. There are more than 1,500 spas in the country with Roman, Greek, and Turkish architectural styles.
7. Hungary is famous for its Nobel Prize winners. There are 13 such winners. They have won Nobel Prizes in all categories except “Peace.” However, all Nobel Prize winners have immigrated from the country.
8. Nearly 5% of their GDP is used for education, and as a result, their literacy rate reaches 99%. Hungary has approximately 77 higher education institutions, including 10 universities and 9 technical schools. In 2017, there were 91 men for every 100 women in the country.
9. Hungarians win gold medals every time they participate in the Olympics. According to the size of the population, the number of gold medals won by Hungarians is second only to Finland. The Budapest Grand Prix is the only Formula One racing competition in Eastern Europe. It opened in August 1986.
10. It is one of the thirty most popular tourist destinations in the world.
Hungarian Republic Day Wishes
Here are some Hungarian Republic Day wishes you can use to celebrate this special occasion:
- Boldog Köztársaság Napját! May our republic continue to prosper and thrive.
- Happy Republic Day to all the proud citizens of Hungary! Let’s cherish our democratic values and unity.
- On this Hungarian Republic Day, let us honor the sacrifices of our forefathers and work together for a brighter future.
- Wishing you a day filled with patriotism and pride as we celebrate the Hungarian Republic.
- May the spirit of freedom and democracy always guide our nation. Happy Republic Day!
- Let us remember the significance of this day and strive for a Hungary that is just, inclusive, and prosperous for all.
- As we mark another year of our republic, let’s renew our commitment to the principles of equality and justice.
- Happy Republic Day to a nation that has overcome challenges and continues to grow stronger. Here’s to a brighter tomorrow!
- On this special day, let’s come together as one nation, united in our love for Hungary and its future.
- Warmest wishes on Hungarian Republic Day! May our country always shine as a beacon of democracy and freedom.
- Today, we celebrate the ideals that our republic stands for. May they always guide us toward a better tomorrow.
- Happy Republic Day, Hungary! Let’s work hand in hand to build a prosperous and harmonious future.
- May the flame of liberty burn bright in our hearts on this Republic Day and every day.
- Wishing all Hungarians a day filled with pride, joy, and a deep sense of unity.
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As we commemorate our republic’s founding, let’s reflect on our shared history and look ahead to a promising future.
Hungarian Republic Day Quotes
Here are some quotes that you can use to celebrate Hungarian Republic Day and reflect on the values of democracy, freedom, and unity:
- “Freedom is the open window through which pours the sunlight of the human spirit and human dignity.” – Herbert Hoover
- “Democracy is the government of the people, by the people, for the people.” – Abraham Lincoln
- “In a democracy, the well-being, individuality, and happiness of every citizen is important for the overall prosperity, peace, and happiness of the nation.” – A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
- “Liberty is the breath of life to nations.” – George Bernard Shaw
- “The essence of a republic is that the just claims of minority shall be protected against the superior power of the majority.” – James Madison
- “Republics are created by the virtue, public spirit, and intelligence of the citizens. They fall when the wise are banished from the public councils because they dare to be honest and the profligate are rewarded because they flatter the people in order to betray them.” – Joseph Story
- “The beauty of a republic is that the whole country belongs to the people, and each of them is an equal and joint owner of the country.” – Mustafa Kemal Atatürk
- “The success of a republic depends almost entirely upon the degree to which the citizens are actively interested in public affairs.” – Theodore Roosevelt
- “Let us never forget that government is ourselves and not an alien power over us. The ultimate rulers of our democracy are not a president and senators and congressmen and government officials, but the voters of this country.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt
- “A republic, if you can keep it.” – Benjamin Franklin (referring to the challenges of maintaining a democratic republic)
These quotes can be used to inspire reflection and conversation on the principles that underpin the Hungarian Republic and the importance of democracy and freedom in society.
