15, March Hungarian National Holiday

Each year 15, March is a National Holiday in Hungary. On this nice and colorful day Hungarian people remember to the outbreak of the 1848-9 Revolution. Since the end of the 17th century had been a Habsburg dominion, with a Habsburg on the royal Hungarian throne. Revolution broke out in many large European cities during the early months of 1848, creating conditions under which Hungary's aspirations for reform might be realized by lawful means. On the same day the March Youth, a small group of writers, poets and other intellectuals, took to the streets of Pest to read out their Twelve Points containing their main demands for the Hungarian nation. One of their leaders, the popular radical poet Sándor Petofi, recited a poem of his, "National Song". As bystanders joined them, they requisitioned a press to print the two pieces. Within hours there were tens of thousands processing through the streets. (Further exciting details in history books...)

Hungarian Military Museum in Buda Castle (unfortunately it is only available in Hungarian): www.hm-him.hu