10/18/2016 - AHF co-sponsored a temporary “Exhibition at the United States Congress Commemorating the 1956 Hungarian Revolution and Freedom Fight." Other sponsors included the Hungarian Embassy as part of its 1956-2016 series of events and other Hungarian-American Organizations. Hungarian Ambassador Dr. Réka Szemerkényi opened the exhibit and AHF Chairman of the Board, Frank Koszorus, welcomed the gathering.
The exhibition, held in the House Rayburn Office Building, features photographs and informational displays on the historic revolution that gave us the first tear in the Iron Curtain.
Other dignitaries who spoke included: The Honorable Miklós Seszták, Minister of National Development of Hungary; The Honorable Dr. János Horváth, Doyen of the Hungarian Parliament and the founder of the Hungarian Revolutionary Council, New York in 1957; Dr. Jenő Megyesy, Chief Advisor to the Prime Minister of Hungary; John O’Sullivan, President of the Danube Institute; and Marion Smith, Executive Director of the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation.
AHF Chairman Frank Koszorus welcomed guests with the following statement:
"Our more than one hundred year old organization, the American Hungarian Federation, is honored and proud to be a co-sponsor of this fitting commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution when Hungarians from all walks of life rose up against insurmountable odds to fight for freedom, multi-party democracy and independence.
Our Federation honors the heroes of 1956 today as we did during those fateful days when AHF activated its Hungarian Relief Program, raised over $525,000 -- $4.5 million in today’s dollars – and worked closely with the International Rescue Committee and others, to aid in the refugee resettlement effort.
Since then, the Federation has been committed to keep the memory of 1956 alive. One just needs to view our website for an extensive collection of material concerning that historical event.
This wonderful exhibit today is a graphic testament to the Hungarian nation’s unquestionable commitment to democracy, freedom and liberty. The photographs reflect determination:
They reflect sacrifice
They reflect courage and bravery
They reflect yearning
They reflect hope
They reflect pain
They reflect joy
They reflect despair
But most of all they reflect the triumph of the human spirit and the Hungarian character, a character that is as strong today as it was 60 years ago.
Regrettably, some would deny this character of the Hungarian people, ignoring that Hungary has regained its freedom from Soviet domination a mere twenty-six years ago, yet is a committed NATO and strong U.S. ally and a multi-party democracy, albeit an imperfect and evolving one. as even mature democracies continue to evolve. 1956 starkly refutes this misleading and skewed
picture of Hungarians peddled by critics. 1956 burnishes the true nature of a brave and freedom loving nation.
Let me close with a passage from Albert Camus' stirring Letter to the World written in 1957:
"The Blood of the Hungarians"
Hungary conquered and in chains has done more for freedom and justice than any people for twenty years. But for this lesson to get through and convince those in the West who shut their eyes and ears, it was necessary, and it can be no comfort to us, for the people of Hungary to shed so much blood which is already drying in our memories.
Your presence here today inspires hope that we will never allow the memory of Hungary 1956 fade. Thank you for joining us to honor the heroes of the Hungarian Revolution and War of Independence of 1956."
[<< Back to All AHF News]
| "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."
- President John F. Kennedy, on the first anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution.
The 1956 Hungarian Revolution was the first tear in
the Iron Curtain. Hungarians from all walks of life rose up against insurmountable
odds to fight the brutal Soviet installed Hungarian communist government.
Thousands died fighting, others tortured and executed, while 200,000 were
forced to flee. 2006 marked the 50th Anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution.
On October 22, 1956, a group of Hungarian students compiled a list of sixteen points containing key national policy demands. They were read at the foot of the General Bem statue, a Polish hero of the 1848 War of Liberation, in solidarity with the anti-communist demonstrations in Poznan, Poland. Following an anti-Soviet protest march through the Hungarian capital of Budapest, the students attempted to enter the city's main broadcasting station to read their demands on the air. The students were detained, and when people gathered outside the broadcasting station to call for their release, the state security police fired on the unarmed crowd, setting off the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. Click the picture to read the 16 points!
Read more / Tovább:
[ angolul magyarul]
AHF's work regarding the tragic events nearly 50 years ago, dates
back to the early days of the revolution and thereafter assisting
tens of thousands of refugees. In 1956 the American Hungarian Federation
activated the second Hungarian Relief program for the refugees of the
1956 Hungarian Revolution, providing $512,560.00 ($4.5 million in 2015 dollars). With the support of
the American Hungarian Federation, over 65,000 refugees arrived in the
USA. Get involved and help us continue our tradition of helping our community! Join Us!
Related Stories
10/24/2013 - AHF Executive Chairman delivers multimedia presentation entitled "Reflections on the 1956 Hungarian Revolution" for the Shepherd Center World Affairs Series coordinated by A. Ross Johnson, Wilson Center Senior Scholar, Hoover Institution Research Fellow, and former Director of Radio Free Europe. Bryan Dawson, whose mother was wounded in the Freedom Fight, discussed the roots of the conflict and Polish-Hungarian sympathies, Hungary's history and national character that contributed to the uprising, and the Revolution's impacts internationally. [read more]
10/22/2015 - AHF organizes Congressional Reception with the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation commemorating the
59th anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution of 1956
and
Honoring Members of Congress. [read more]
12/3/2015 - American Hungarian Federation has follow-up meeting with Ambassador Colleen Bell... During his stay in Budapest, Mr. Koszorus also met with United States Ambassador Colleen Bell. The purpose of the meeting wasto follow up on AHF’s November 4, 2015 letter to Ambassador Bell in which AHF suggested that U.S. interests – promotion of democracy and human rights, strategic and economic -- may not always be served by public criticisms which are perceived by the man-on-the-street in Hungary, whether a supporter of the government or not, to be demeaning and humiliating. [read more]
11/1/2007 - Congressional Reception for AHF Centennial... AHF celebrated it's 100th Anniversary, honored the heroes of 1956 on the 51st anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution, and unveiled its plans for a 1956 National Memorial in the Nation's Capital. AHF recognized Congressmen Dan Lipinski (D - IL), ThaddeusMcCotter (R- MI) and Dr. Lee Edwards (Chair of the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation) for their support of AHF initiatives, human rights and democratic development in Central Europe. Each received a plaque and a copy of the book, "Daughter of the Revolution" by renowned poet and author, Prof. Peter Hargitai. The October 25 commemoration started with wreath laying at the Victims
of Communism Memorial near the US Capitol. [read more].
[<< Go to all 1956 News]
Downloads:
- The Hungarian Revolution - Uprising, Budapest 1956:
A synoptic treatise of a major political event of the 20th Century,
a historically tragic period in the life of a nation commemorating the
50th Anniversary of the Revolution and the fallen brave - by Attila J.
Ürményházi (Hobart, Tasmania) and edited by
Bryan Dawson [download]
States that
have passed the 1956 Revolution 50th Anniversary Resolution:
| Texas | Ohio | Colorado | Maryland | Virginia |
| Massachusetts | Minnesota | Washington | California | South Dakota |
4/28/2006
- Texas became the first state to adopt the AHF 1956 resolution
(House Resolution 75). AHF extends sincere thanks to Texas Senator
Janek and Representative Woolley for introducing the measure and to AHF's
Texas Chapter President Chris Cutrone in Austin and Honorary Consul for
Hungary Phillip Aronoff in Houston for their efforts in securing the introuduction
of the resolution. The resolution's title: "Commemorating
the 50th anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution and recognizing the sacrifices
of Hungarian Freedom Fighters, the contributions of Hungarian Americans,
and the friendship between the people and governments of the United States
and Hungary." Full text of the Texas resolution can be found on the Texas
House Website.
The Houston
Chronicle also published an Op-Ed calling attention to the resolution
by Hungarian Honorary Consul Phillip Aronoff in Houston and Bryan Dawson-Szilagyi,
AHF Chairman of the Executive Committee.
Ohio.
Special thanks to the Hon. Péter Ujvági, Ohio State Representative
(D) who successfully pushed the resolution (#212) through both state houses. [download the resolution] Ohio Governor Taft also issues a proclamation [download]
Colorado.
Special thanks to Jeno Megyessy for introducing a joint resolution that
also makes Octbober 23, 2006 "Hungarian Freedom Fighter's Day"
in Colorado!
[download]
Maryland.
Special thanks to Frank Kapitan for taking the lead in getting the resolution
passed! [download]
Virginia.
Special thanks to Laura Spinner for her leadership in getting Gov. Kaine
to issue this proclamation!
Massachusetts.
Special thanks to Hon. Consul of the Republic of Hungary in new England and the Massachusetts Hungarians! [download]
South Dakota.
State Legislature recognizes the sacrifices of the 1956 Freedom Fighters [download]
Minnesota.
Congratulations to the Minnesota Hungarians and thanks to the State Legislature for declaring "Hungarian Freedom Day." [download]
In
Memoriam
11/15/2005
- AHF President Emeritus, Entrepreneur, Freedom Activist,
and 1959 US "Citizen of the Year," George K. Haydu, passed away
after long illness. The death of this great humanitarian and
leader is a major loss for the Hungarian-American community and to all
his many friends. Despite many death threats and being shot in the leg
during "Loyalty Day" parade in New York City, George was undeterred
in his efforts to bring freedom to Hungary and comfort to refugees.
[read more about George Haydu]
or see [All Memorials]
--------------
5/19/2005
- Gergely "Bajusz" Pongratz, a leader
and hero of Hungary's anti-communist revolution of 1956, has died at age
73.
Pongratz suffered a heart attack on Wednesday in the southern
Hungarian town of Kiskunmajsa where he lived, said Dezso Abraham, secretary
general of the World Council of Hungarian 56ers revolutionary veterans
group. During the revolution, Pongratz was commander of one of the key
resistance groups fighting the Soviet army. [read
more].
--------------
12/10/2004 - JENO SZEREDAS,
90, Hungarian Freedom Fighter Federation Founder, AHF Member, and Noted
Artist Dies...
Jeno Andras Szeredas, Hungarian political activist and
Senator, 1956 Freedom Fighter, Founder of the Freedom Fighters Federation
in the United States, poet and artist of rare talent died quietly in his
sleep at his daughter's home in Connecticut on November 30. He had just
celebrated his 90th birthday.
Born in Iglo, Hungary (now Slovakia) in 1914, Mr. Szeredas
was both witness to and active participant in the turmoil sweeping over
Europe for the balance of the 20th century. [more]
- 1956 Portal - www.hungary1956.com
- The 1956 Institute,
headed by Dr. Janos Reiner, is a great site devoted to exploring the
1956 Hungarian Revolution in English and Hungarian.
- www.celebratingfreedom1956.org - The Cleveland Hungarian Revolution 50th Anniversary Committee (CHR50)
is organizing a major observance event of this important historical
milestone on October 21st and 22nd, 2006 in Cleveland, Ohio.
- Magyar
Radio Online - includes many audio files and an analysis in Hungarian:
"Ki húzta meg a ravaszt eloször 1956. október
23-án?" "Who was the first to pull the trigger?"
Time
Magazine gave Hungarian Freedom Fighters the title "Man of
the Year" on July 1, 1957. "The Freedom Fighters filled
the empty bottles with gasoline and corked them with table napkins,
making what they called 'benzine flashes."
- www.FamousHungarians.com - offers information on 1956, the 1956 Olympics, the popular
"Nobel Prize Winners and Famous Hungarians," resources on
Trianon, Transylvania, History, Music, and more.
- Wikipedia - the free, online encyclopedia that allows readers to manage its
content!
- The 1956
Institute in Hungary (1956-os Intézet)
- The 1956
Hungarian Revolution Historical Documentation and Research Foundation in Hungary - a source for thousands of photographs from the period
- The National
Security Archive at The George Washington University provides
a wealth of information on the 1956 Revolution available for download
in PDF.
- The
1956 Hungarian Revolution - a short chronology of events with
pictures
- Pal
Maleter on Wikipedia - the military leader of the Hungarian Revolution
- www.sulinet.hu has as site that transcribed many of the various speeches given before,
during, and after the revolution - a fascinating chronology from Nagy
to Mindszenty. (Hungarian)
- Az
1956-os Magyar Forradalom igaz története - in Hungarian.
"What the history books left out." Published by the 1956
World Federation.
- Az
1956-os forradalom története Esztergomban - The Revolution
in Esztergom (in Hungarian)
- Arcok
és sorsok - a great site with photos and biographies of
some 1956 Freedom Fighters
- Nagy
Imre október 23-án: Nagy Imre október 23-án
eleinte hallani sem akart arról, hogy a Parlamentbe menjen
és szóljon a tömeghez. Ám mégis megtette.
Döbbenetet érezhetett, amikor lenézett a Parlament
ablakából, s akkor is, amikor kifütyülték
az „elvtárs” megszólítást.
Beszéde az alant álló ismeretlen erovel szembeni
aggodalmát és szorongását mutatja.
Memorials
Dedicated to 1956
"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."-
President John F. Kennedy,
on the first anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution.
- Denver, Colorado - statue and "Hungarian Freedom Park"
- Toronto, Ont - statue and park
- Erie, PA - Memorial and square (Thanks to v. Juhasz Ferenc,
AHF, VP)
- Fairfield, CT - Memorial plaque in Town Hall (2003)
- Berkeley Springs, WV - plaque, cemetery, and church (TX to
Mrs. 'Sally' Gyorik, Ft Vitez Baan OFP)
- Boston, Mass - Liberty Square statue and square by George
Hollosy
- Los Angeles, CA - statue by Arpad Domjan (1966)
(TX to Czene Ferenc and LA Hungarians)
- New York - Plaque at East River/92d Str
- Lorantffy House, Akron, Ohio 1956 - Plaque
- North Olmstead , Ohio - Plaque and cemetery (Thanks to Dobolyi
Arpad & Juhasz Ferenc AHF VP)
- Loraine, Ohio - Statue under construction
- Miami, Fl - First Hungarian Church Stained Glass Windows
- Camp Kilmer - plaque now in New Brunswick, New Jersey
- Cleveland, Ohio - Cardinal Jozsef Mindszenty statue and square
- New Brunswick, NJ - Mindszenty statue and square
- Miami - Mindszenty Str. (27th Str) NW (TX to Tarr Sandor,
Honorary Consul)
- Budapest - statue/plaque at the Chain bridge in Buda by Ocsay
Karoly
- Korvin koz - statue of the young freedom fighter
- Budapest, Prime Minister Imre Nagy Gravsite and Memorial
- Budapest, II kerulet; Manheimer Statue
- Budapest, XIII kerulet: Park of Statues: granite obelisk
- Budapest, XIII kerulet: Park of Statues: Plaque of the martyrs
(2000 Oct. 23)
|







|
Albert
Camus' Stirring Letter to the World:
"The Blood of the Hungarians"
I am not one of those who wish to see the people of Hungary
take up arms again in a rising certain to be crushed, under the eyes of
the nations of the world, who would spare them neither applause nor pious
tears, but who would go back at one to their slippers by the fireside
like a football crowd on a Sunday evening after a cup final.
There are already too many dead on the field, and we cannot
be generous with any but our own blood. The blood of Hungary has re-emerged
too precious to Europe and to freedom for us not to be jealous of it to
the last drop.
But I am not one of those who think that there can be a
compromise, even one made with resignation, even provisional, with a regime
of terror which has as much right to call itself socialist as the executioners
of the Inquisition had to call themselves Christians.
And on this anniversary of liberty, I hope with all my
heart that the silent resistance of the people of Hungary will endure,
will grow stronger, and, reinforced by all the voices which we can raise
on their behalf, will induce unanimous international opinion to boycott
their oppressors.
And if world opinion is too feeble or egoistical to do
justice to a martyred people, and if our voices also are too weak, I hope
that Hungary’s resistance will endure until the counter-revolutionary
State collapses everywhere in the East under the weight of its lies and
contradictions.
Hungary conquered and in chains has done more for freedom
and justice than any people for twenty years. But for this lesson to get
through and convince those in the West who shut their eyes and ears, it
was necessary, and it can be no comfort to us, for the people of Hungary
to shed so much blood which is already drying in our memories.
In Europe’s isolation today, we have only one way
of being true to Hungary, and that is never to betray, among ourselves
and everywhere, what the Hungarian heroes died for, never to condone,
among ourselves and everywhere, even indirectly, those who killed them.
It would indeed be difficult for us to be worthy of such
sacrifices. But we can try to be so, in uniting Europe at last, in forgetting
our quarrels, in correcting our own errors, in increasing our creativeness,
and our solidarity. We have faith that there is on the march in the world,
parallel with the forces of oppression and death which are darkening our
history, a force of conviction and life, an immense movement of emancipation
which is culture and which is born of freedom to create and of freedom
to work.
Those Hungarian workers and intellectuals, beside whom
we stand today with such impotent sorrow, understood this and have made
us the better understand it. That is why, if their distress is ours, their
hope is ours also. In spite of their misery, their chains, their exile,
they have left us a glorious heritage which we must deserve: freedom,
which they did not win, but which in one single day they gave back to
us. (October 23, 1957)
AHF dedicates this work
to the memory of all our comrades who passed during those faithful days
of October, 1956.
- Read this in German, Hungarian, French, and Spanish on this AHF member
site, the [American
Hungarian Museum]
Join online!
|