The Hungarian Revolution of 1956 was a bold attempt by the Hungarians to establish solidarity away from the long arm of Soviet rule.
“October 23, 1956, is a day that will live forever in the annals of free men and nations. It was a day of courage, conscience and triumph. No other day since history began has shown more clearly the eternal unquenchability of man’s desire to be free, whatever the odds against success, whatever the sacrifice required.”
– John F. Kennedy, on the first anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution.
The Hungarian Revolution of 1956 was a nationwide revolt against the government of the Hungarian People’s Republic and its Soviet-imposed policies, lasting from 23 October until 10 November 1956. Though leaderless when it first began, it was the first major threat to Soviet control since the USSR’s forces drove out Nazi Germany from its territory at the end of World War II and broke into Central and Eastern Europe.
In the immediate aftermath thousands of Hungarians were arrested. Several hundred were executed and hundreds were deported to the Soviet Union. Besides reinstating a Soviet controlled government the Soviet Union increased its permanent troop levels in Hungary.
Under the communist rule October 23rd was considered as a counter-revolution and all commemorations were banned. In 1989, after the fall of communism, Hungary was declared a republic on October 23rd.
