1956 Revolution and Republic Day

On 23 October 1956 a peaceful student demonstration in Budapest sparked a popular revolution demanding freedom and independence. It quickly spread across the country but was crushed by Soviet troops on 4 November; thousands were killed and some 200,000 Hungarians fled the country.

Exactly 33 years later, on 23 October 1989, the Republic of Hungary was proclaimed from the balcony of the Parliament building in Budapest. The date is thus both a day of remembrance for the heroes of 1956 and the birthday of modern democratic Hungary.

National holiday

23 October is one of Hungary's three national holidays, with a flag-raising ceremony in front of Parliament and commemorations at the memorials to the heroes of 1956; people carry flags with the centre cut out — the coat of arms removed — the symbol of the revolution.