What happened on 15 March 1848?
Revolution was in the air across Europe in 1848, sparking uprisings from Sicily to Paris and beyond. This wave of rebellion soon reached Hungary. In early March, when news of the Paris uprising arrived in Budapest, Lajos Kossuth – a brilliant reformist and electrifying speaker – delivered a powerful speech demanding a parliamentary government for Hungary. His words propelled him to the forefront of Europe's revolutionary movements and inspired poet Sándor Petőfi and his compatriots to turn their talk of insurrection into action.
In the days that followed, these dissidents drafted a list of 12 Points, demanding democratic rights for Hungarians – including freedom of the press and the release of political prisoners. At the same time, Petőfi penned his poetic masterpiece, National Song. Before long, thousands of fired-up citizens took to the streets of Budapest, seizing the presses to print and distribute the 12 Points in open defiance of censorship. The movement reached a dramatic peak on the grand stairway of the newly built National Museum, where Petőfi allegedly stood before the impassioned crowd and passionately recited his National Song.
The revolution reached its peak in April 1849, when Kossuth issued the Hungarian Declaration of Independence. Despite a series of victories, the Hungarian army was ultimately defeated by the summer of 1849. In response, the Habsburgs imposed brutal repression on Hungary, and Budapest's Citadella atop Gellért Hill was built as a warning against future uprisings.
Yet, Kossuth and his followers achieved lasting milestones that continue to shape history. Hungary's present-day Parliament traces its roots back to the revolutionary government, and under Kossuth's leadership, Hungary became the first country in Europe to establish a law protecting minority rights in 1849. The uprising also set the stage for the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867, which granted Hungary partial independence from the Austrian Empire.
15 March became a bank holiday
As Hungary enjoys the independence that so many fought for, 15 March is celebrated nationwide. The day begins with a flag-raising ceremony in front of Parliament, in the square that now bears Kossuth's name. Across the country, Hungarians proudly wear red, white, and green cockades over their hearts, honouring the legacy of those who stood for freedom.
Family-friendly events
The flag-raising ceremony at the Parliament (9 am) is followed by a ceremonial hussar march towards the Hungarian National Museum. Anyone is welcome to join, the route includes Alkotmány utca, Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út, Károly körút, Astoria, and Múzeum körút. Family-friendly events will then take place at the National Museum, with its façade getting illuminated with a special light projection after 5:30 pm. Also, there will be free events in the Buda Castle, like workshops and games at the Royal Riding Hall and dance performances at the Csikós Courtyard (details on the Hungarian site here).
Museums you can visit for free
- During 'Open Parliament', you can explore the Grand Stairway, the Dome Hall, and the Holy Crown inside the Parliament building from 10 am to 6 pm
- Hungarian National Gallery
- Hungarian National Museum
- Museum of Fine Arts
- Museum of Ethnography
- Budapest Aquincum Museum
- Ludwig Museum
- Budapest History Museum
- House of Terror
- Vasarely Museum
- Hungarian Agriculture Museum
- Hungarian Museum of Science, Technology, and Transport
- Petőfi Literary Museum
Good to know
On 15 March most shops, banks, pharmacies and other service providers will be closed. In more central parts of town, 24-hour convenience stores will mostly be open but larger supermarkets and other shops will be shut. Many restaurants, cafés and bars will close, so make sure to check their social media sites before heading out. Public transport will still be running, but some roads might be closed to traffic.
(Cover photo: Getty Images)
