March 15 Celebration

Today was a Hungarian national holiday. It was on this day 160 years ago that the Hungarians began a revolution against Austrian rule under the Hapsburgs. They were not successful in gaining total independence but, with the help of Russia, they were allowed some autonomy. This became known as the Dual Monarchy of Austria-Hungary and lasted until the end of WWI. For all you history buffs, when the heir to the Austrian throne, Franz Ferdinand, was assassinated in Sarajevo in 1914, the Hapsburgs declared war on Serbia. This event helped to propel Europe into World War I, and eventually put an end to the Hapsburg Empire. So, even though Hungary did not win their battle for independence at that time, they still celebrate the day the revolution began on March 15, 1848.

Below are some pictures of the celebration in the piac (downtown) in Debrecen. There were speeches, colorguards and horsemen (and women) in traditional outfits, dramatizations, the laying of wreaths, and children would bring home-made flags and put them around the statues throughout the city.