1956 Hungarian Revolution News
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1956 Hungarian Revolution News |
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The Freedom Statue Committee of the Cleveland Hungarian Revolution 50th Anniversary Committee cordially invites you to the Dedication of the Freedom Statue. 4 pm, Mindszenty Plaza A reception immediately following the dedication: For more information about the dedication Jim Balog (440) 564-7088 May 3-6, 2007 - Freedom Dance was selected for the Maryland Film Festival. Check out www.md-filmfest.com/ for screening schedules. Freedom Dance: The Movie, produced by AHF's Steven Fischer and Craig Herron, chronicles Edward Hilberth's escape from Hungary during the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. [read more about Freedom Dance]
11/3/2006 - Charles Fenyvesi delivers speech for a Hudson Institute panel discussion, “Hungary: 1956, 1989 and Today.” The title of his presentation, “Unhappy Anniversary: November 4.” [download]
How can you help? [read more]
Original Title: "Recognizing the 50th Anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution that began on October 23, 1956 and reaffirming the friendship between the people and governments of the United States and Hungary." Passed Title: "Whereas on October 23, 1956, university students marching through the streets of Budapest were joined by workers and others until their numbers reached some 100,000 Hungarian citizens."
Dr. Toth had earlier received the Golden Diploma from the Eõtvös Lorand University in honor of 50 years of professional excellence. He and his wife Zsuzsa also led the effort to produce AHF's 1956 mini-documentary on DVD. Read more about him on [Featured Members]
At the invitation
of Hungarian President Dr. Laszlo
Dr. Toth talked with Hungarian President (Koztarsasagi Elnok) Solyom Laszlo and other high-level Hungarian government representatives. He also met granddaughter of Imre Nagy, Prime Minister of the 1956 Revolutionary government. President Solyom invited Dr. Toth and Dr. Kiraly to the November 4th wreath laying ceremony at the grave of Imre Nagy. Missing at the Grand Celebration were Orban Victor and Gontz Arpad. Imre reported that 1956 was commemorated all across the country from Debrecen to Gyor, from Szeged to Eger. Dr. Toth is the last surviving Secretary of the Revolutionary Committee for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the Imre Nagy Government. Read about him on [Featured Members]. [back to ALL AHF news stories]
AHF is kicked off a year of events devoted to remembering
the heroes of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution at it's Congressional Reception
held on Octber 19, 2005. Congressmen Tom Lantos (D-CA) and Tom Tancredo
(R-CO) AHF cordially invites you to a Congressional Reception
honoring the heroes of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. AHF is kicking off
a year of events devoted to making sure Congress and the world remember
Hungary's sacrifices for freedom. We will be awarding our Kovats Mihaly
Medal of Freedom to Congressmen and private-sector AHF and member filmmakers Imre and Zsuzsa Toth produced a mini-documentary of the 1956 revolution (seen here) which will be shown at the event and given as a free gift to all who donate at least $56.00. Imre Toth was one of revolutionary Prime Minister Imre Nagy's last cabinet members to escape Hungary with his life. In addition, we will have a 1956 book display featuring the works of internationally renowned members such as Prof. Peter Hargitai, Prof. Beverly James, Prof. Johanna Granville, Dr. Paul Szilagyi, Csaba Teglas, Bela Liptak, Hugo Tischler, and Gabe Kubichek. The event takes place on October 19th at 6:30 pm in the Rayburn Building Dining Room on Capitol Hill. To help defray our costs, AHF is asking for a minimum donation of $56.00: the 1956 mini-documentary is a free gift at this level. Those giving at the Patron level ($195.60) and Kovats Circle ($1,956.00) receive special recognition. Directions and additional details can be found on the [downloadable form].
OR [download the form] and mail it in!
“By attending the commemoration of that historical event that made the Kremlin tremble, the United States would affirm its recognition of the tremendous sacrifice of Hungarians and other Central and Eastern European nations in restoring their freedom and independence and of their serving as models for new democracies elsewhere in the world today,” said Frank Koszorus, Jr., one of the authors of the letter. The document was signed by AHF National, AHF of Washington, D.C., the
William Penn Association, the Hungarian Reformed Federation, the Hungarian
Club of Colorado, and Eva Szorenyi of the Freedom Fighter's Federation.
Get involved - we need your HELP! [join / donate] [< back to all AHF news] 5/23/2005 - AHF's 1956 Commemoration Committee meets at its Washington, DC Headquarters at the National Press Building to finalize plans for year of events leading up to the 50th Anniversary of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. AHF plans to kick off the year in October 2006 with a Congressional commemoration in the Capitol Rotunda and gala dinner where distinguished nominees will receive AHF's Mihaly Kovats Medal of Freedom for Lifetime Achievements. This event will mark the beginning of a year-long effort at raising awareness, funds, and membership to support the 2006 commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution that was brutally crushed by Soviet tanks. AHF is creating a mini-documentary film to be shown at the commemoration event and shared with member organizations across the country and partners around the world. Some of the other activities include:
Get involved - we need your HELP! [join / donate] [< back to all AHF news]
10/23 - 10/24/2004: Special Event Coverage:
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. With the support of the American Hungarian Federation, over 65,000 refugees arrived in the USA. For its inaugural meeting, the Taskforce outlined a number of initiatives aimed at creating a lasting memory of Hungary's heroic fight for freedom. One of the first initiatives was to petition the US Postal Service to issue a 2006 stamp dedicated to the 1956 revolution. See the "Downloads" section on the right to read the letter. |
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 marks the 50th Anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution. 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. 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!
Member organizations receive publicity on the AHF Website and eNewsletters. Importantly, AHF can serve as a central information resource for all. All are invited to help both local organizations and AHF in its own efforts at commemorating 1956 in the Nation's Capital! AHF needs volunteers and funds to make our bold
(You do not need to become a member to donate. The American Hungarian Federation is a tax-exempt 501c(3) organization.) In Memoriam
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].
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]
Downloads:
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,
"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 - Read this in German, Hungarian, French, and Spanish on this AHF member site, the [American Hungarian Museum] Contribute or join online!
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© 2003 - 2007 American Hungarian Federation®, All Rights Reserved
6/12/2007
- The Victims of Communism Memorial was dedicated by President
George W. Bush in a morning ceremony on Tuesday, June 12th. Washington's
newest memorial honors the 100 million people who have been killed by
communist totalitarian regimes worldwide. AHF is proud to have contributed
to this great effort. AHF leaders attended the Gala Awards Ceremony that
same evening where Bishop Laszlo Tokes minister delivered a stirring convocation.
[
12/5/2006
- Miami Screening of "Freedom Dance: The Movie,"
an animated documentary produced by AHF's Emmy-nominated producer Steven
Fischer and Telly Award-winning animator Craig Herron, retelling the story
of artist Edward Hilbert who, during his four months on the road to freedom
with his newly wedded wife, kept a journal of cartoons detailing an adventurous
escape from communist Hungary to the US during Hungary’s bloody
1956 revolution against Soviet occupation. The preview screening of Freedom
Dance was held in front of an enthusiastic audience at KimbaraCumbara
Cafe in Little Havana. Law & Order: SVU star (and Hungarian-American)
Mariska Hargitay recently recorded the narration for Freedom Dance. [
10/18/2006
- President Bush issues a proclamation honoring the 1956
Hungarian Revolution... "The story of Hungarian democracy
represents the triumph of liberty over tyranny. In the fall of 1956, the
Hungarian people demanded change, and tens of thousands of students, workers,
and other citizens bravely marched through the streets to call for freedom.
Though Soviet tanks brutally crushed the Hungarian uprising, the thirst
for freedom lived on, and in 1989 Hungary became the first communist nation
in Europe to make the transition to democracy."[
10/14/2006
- Eisenhower, Khrushchev, and AHF's own Imre Toth participate in "Cold
War Conversations: The Uprisings and Revolutions of 1956."
The American Hungarian Federation is proud to have co-hosted the event.
The Cold War Museum convened panels of diplomats, officials and historians
to discuss the 1956 Polish and Hungarian uprisings against the Soviets
and Communism. [
10/8/2006
- AHF Co-President, Imre L. Toth, featured
in US News and World Report on 1956. "Revolution! The Hungarian
uprising 50 years later; how it changed the Cold War" by Alex Kingsbury
is the Special Report in the latest issue of U.S. News and World Report
magazine. This story appears in the October 16, 2006 print edition of
U.S. News & World Report. [
Continuing
News - AHF pursuing resolutions commemorating
the 1956 Hungarian Revolution in all 50 states! Ohio, Colorado,
Maryland, Virginia and New York follow Texas in adopting the Resolution
and congratulating the American Hungarian Federation on its 100th anniversary.
AHF's 1956 Commemoration Committee announced a nationwide effort urging
state houses and governors to adopt resolutions honoring the heroes of
the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. Texas became the first state to adopt the
AHF resolution (House Resolution 75). 
5/20/2006
- The Washington May Hungarian Ball - A very special evening!
The phenomenal New York Continental Band and a performance by
local scouts made for a very special evening. In what hopes to be an annual
revival of the famed Hungarian Ball in Washington, the gala, black-tie
affair raised funds to support the Hungarian Scouts of Washington, D.C.,
and a series of events commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1956
Hungarian Revolution and the Hungarian historical communities living in
the countries neighboring Hungary. 
![US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, sponsors reception in honor of teh 50th Aniiversary of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution [© Bryan Dawson-Szilagyi, AHF News Service]](images/StateDepartment1956/1956_HungarianRevolution_CondoleezzaRice_2006-02-13_lg.JPG)
1/26/2006
- Hungarian Reformed Federation's Washington Branch sponsors
1956 Roundtable Discussion...AHF members joined 1956 Freedom
Fighters and Washington-area Hungarians in a roundtable discussion sponsored
by the Washington Chapter of the Hungarian Reformed Federation of American
(HRFA). Branch Manager, Frank Kapitan (seen here), opened the discussion
and asked participants to share their personal experiences related to
1956 and discuss the lessons learned and implications of the revolution
in today's world. AHF's Zsuzsa Toth transcribed those experiences
which can be found by clicking [
UPDATED
12/7/2005 - House unanimously passes resolution recognizing
50th anniverary of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. By a unanimous
and recorded vote, the House of Representatives passed H. Res. 479 on
December 6, 2005. The resolution, which had been introduced by Congressman
Tom Lantos (D-CA), recognizes the 50th anniversary of the 1956 Hungarian
Revolution and enjoyed the support of the American Hungarian community
and its various organizations. The American Hungarian Federation applauds
Congressman Lantos for taking the initiative to introduce and secure passage
of H. Res. 479. As stated earlier by the Federation, "With this resolution,
the Congress has eloquently recognized the extraordinary sacrifices made
by Hungarians 50 years ago, reaffirmed the historic ties and close friendship
between the United States and Hungary and acknowledged the tremendous
contribution made by Hungarians forced to flee tyranny and start a new
life in the United States."
Dr.
Toth gave the committee a detailed account of our successful congressional
reception on October 19th, mentioning the serious commitment of each member
of AHF's 1956 committee and the extraordinary people who were celebrated
there - all culminating in a memorable event, which we consider a great
harbinger for next year. He then talked about our efforts to unify Hungarian-American
organizations under our umbrella organization. The Hungarian 1956 Memorial
Planning Committee is headed by Kosáry Domokos with representatives
from four parliamentary political parties, including Fidesz. Hungary has
set Oct. 19th as the day for major commemorations in 2006. [
AHF
is calling for volunteers to assist with 2005 plans in Washington, DC.
Please 
10/21/2004
- Former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán visits Cleveland
to help commemorate the 1956 Hungarian Revolution... The United
Hungarian Societies in Cleveland has invited former Prime Minister Viktor
Orbán for two days of meetings with AHF and other Hungarian-American
community leaders and multi-denominational clergy culminating in a commemoration
of the 48th anniversary of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution in which thousands
died and hundreds of thousands were forced to flee. [
10/10/2004
- AHF Supporting the "Lyukas Zaszlo" / "Torn
from the Flag" project, a documentary film about the 1956
Hungarian Revolution. AHF donated $1000.00 to the project at its November
meeting in New Brunswick, NJ. [
3/5/2004
- 1956 Commemoration Task Force planning for major events
to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution brutally
crushed by Soviet tanks. We need volunteers and donations to make this
a success. [
Sign
up for the AHF mailing list.
5/19/2005
- Gergely "Bajusz" Pongratz, a leader
and hero of Hungary's anti-communist revolution of 1956, has died at age
73.
12/10/2004
- JENO SZEREDAS,
90, Hungarian Freedom Fighter Federation Founder, AHF Member, and Noted
Artist Dies...
Albert
Camus' Stirring Letter to the World: