Hungarian history - Timeline - Chronology
Mileposts of Hungarian History
AD 895-900
1000
1222
1241-1242
1300-1500
1458-1490
1514
1526
1541-1686
1686
1703-1711
1836
1848-1949
1867-1914
1914-1918
1918
1919
1920
1919-1944
1941
1944
1945
1945-1947
1948
1953
1955
1956-1957
1957-1988
1989
1990
1991 February
1991 June
1991 July
1991 December
1994
1997
1998
1999
2000
2002
2004 (May 1)
2004 September
2004 December
2005 June
2006 April
2006 September
1000
1222
1241-1242
1300-1500
1458-1490
1514
1526
1541-1686
1686
1703-1711
1836
1848-1949
1867-1914
1914-1918
1918
1919
1920
1919-1944
1941
1944
1945
1945-1947
1948
1953
1955
1956-1957
1957-1988
1989
1990
1991 February
1991 June
1991 July
1991 December
1994
1997
1998
1999
2000
2002
2004 (May 1)
2004 September
2004 December
2005 June
2006 April
2006 September
Seven Magyar tribes from the East occupy the Carpathian basin.
Foundation of the Hungarian state; St. Stephen, the first Hungarian king converts the
country to western Christianity. Western orientation.
Andrew II (1175-1235) issues the Golden Bull stating the basic rights and privileges of the
nobility; it plays a role similar to that of the Magna Carta of 1215.
Mongolian invasion.
Hungary is a wealthy and flourishing kingdom again. In the 14th century it extends its
borders to the Baltic, the Black Sea, and the Adriatic Sea.
The court of king Matthias Hunyadi Corvinus is a center of Renaissance culture, visited by
numerous great humanist thinkers and artists of the period. A core mercenary army was
constructed, and modern managerial practices were established to control the Hungarian
economy. Matthias Corvinus appoints Magyars to the most important offices and
authorities, though the German population (approx. 50%) retains its own rights; struggle
against the Turks.
Peasant's uprising weakens the country
Crushing defeat of the Hungarian army at the hands of the Turks in the Battle of Mohács.
Country split into three parts: the west ceded to the Habsburgs, the principality of
Transylvania established in the east, the central regions under Turkish occupation
Under Turkish rule (lasting 145 years) Buda becomes the western outpost of the Ottoman
Empire.
Recapture of Buda and Pest by the Imperial troops under Prince Eugene of Savoy.
The entire Hungary goes under Habsburg rule, in a semi-colonial situation.
Independence struggle against the Habsburg claim to power in Transylvania led by Prince
Ferenc II Rákóczi -defeated.
Hungarian becomes the official language.
March 15, 1848: the national independence struggle leads to revolution (proclamation of
independence on 14 April 1849). August 1849: Russian troops coming to help Austria
suppress Hungarians' fight for independence.
Pest becomes seat of the Imperial Diet and of all Hungarian offices of the Austro-
Hungarian Dual Monarchy.
Austrian Emperor Francis Joseph I crowned King of Hungary. Economic, social and
political development.
The Monarchy, allied with the German empire, is defeated in the First World War.
Bourgeois democratic revolution, republic proclaimed
Bolshevik, soviet republic lasting 133 days
In the Treaty of Trianon, Hungary loses two-thirds of its territory and one-third of its
population; 3 million Hungarians are left outside the country's borders.
The regency of Miklós Horthy. Hungary is a kingdom without a king, governed by a
conservative elite, which obstructs social and political development. From the start,
Horthy endeavours to have Hungary's original borders restored and sets up a
conservative parliamentary regime with dictatorial elements.
During the Second World War, Hungary allows German troops to cross its territory on their
way to Yugoslavia. Prime minister Count Teleki commits suicide.
Hungary declares war on the Soviet Union; following devastating defeat of 2nd Hungarian
army.
After six-week siege, Budapest occupied by German troops. Persecution of Jews begins
under direction of Eichmann. Provisional government declares war on Germany.
After a year of devastating war, Hungary is "liberated" from the German troops and
conquered by the Soviet Red Army. The capital and most of its industry is lying in ruins.
The country is governed by a coalition of political parties; parliamentary democracy is
disturbed by strong Soviet pressure and interference. At the elections of 1945, the
Communist party receives only 17 % of votes. At the 1947 elections, in spite of large scale
electoral cheating, it receives only 22 %.
Turning point; the Hungarian Workers’ Party (which is a forced alliance of the
Communists and the Social Democrats) seizes power and establishes a totalitarian one-
party rule.
The first attempt at loosening the totalitarian rule; the first government of Imre Nagy.
Come-back of the Stalinists
National uprising against Soviet domination and the beginning of a democratic revolution
against communist rule. October 23: beginning of the Hungarian Revolution against
Soviet rule which is brutally crushed by the invasion of Soviet troops on 4 November 1956.
Re-establishment of communist rule.
The Kádár regime - Socialist People's Republic with one-party system. After bloody
reprisals in 1957-58, and the execution of former prime minister Imre Nagy and about 400
freedom fighters and politicians, a slow liberalisation begins in the mid 1960s. The 1970s
are the “goulash-communism” of Kádár: relative affluence, gradual relaxation of political
control, enlightened and paternalistic absolutism. In 1968, the so-called New Economic
System is launched, which is the first important step on the road of transforming the
centralised and planned state socialist economy into a market or mixed economy. In
1970, the reform process is obstructed by the conservative forces and slowed down by the
resistance of Brezhnev and the Soviet leadership. Economic and social crisis followed.
Hungary opens its borders to Austria and lets Germans from East-Germany go to the
"West". October 23 - Proclamation of the Republic of Hungary – end of the Socialist
People's Republic.
The first free parliamentary election in forty-two years (- adopted from Hankiss, E.(1990)
East European Alternatives, Clarendon Press, Oxford. 275-277) Victory of the conservative
Hungarian Democratic Forum under Prime Minister József Antall. Hungary joins the
Council of Europe (6 November 1990).
New things introduced: multi-party system, private ownership,increasing unemployment,
adjusting from backward technology to top technology. Major reduction in social welfare
and security, no job security, increasing gap between the rich and the poor. The
abolishment of free health care and free higher education.
Visegrád Group formed (together with Poland and the then Czechoslovakia)
Red Army withdraws from Hungary.
Warsaw Pact dissolved
Association Agreement signed with the EC (in force since 1 February 1994)
Admission to NATO's North Atlantic Cooperation Council
Second free elections: victory of the moderat left wing Hungarian Socialist Party under
Prime Minister Gyula Horn; coalition formed with the liberal Alliance of Free Democrats
Hungary applies to join the EU.
Hungary invited to begin accession negotiations with the European Union at the European
Council meeting in Luxembourg
NATO Protocol of Accession signed
First (screening) phase of EU accession negotiations begins.
Parliamentary elections: victory of moderate right-wing FIDESZ-MPP which forms a
coalition with the FKgP and MDF under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
Accession negotiations with EU begin.
Hungary joins NATO.
Professor Ferenc Mádl elected President
Parliamentary elections won by the moderate-left wing MSzP which forms a coalition
government with the liberal SzDSz, headed by prime minister Péter Medgyessy.
Successful conclusion to negotiations for the EU accession treaty
Main source: The Shadow of Hungarian History, Dr. Katalin Illés & Dr. Bronwen Rees,
2000, Anglia Business School, Cambridge, UK
Hungary joins the European Union
Former sports minister Ferenc Gyurcsany becomes prime minister following resignation
of Peter Medgyessy in row with coalition partner over reshuffle.
Low turnout invalidates referendum on whether or not to offer citizenship to some five
million ethnic Hungarians living outside Hungary.
Parliament ratifies EU constitution.
Parliament chooses opposition-backed Laszlo Solyom as next president after Socialists'
candidate is blocked by their Free Democrat coalition partners.
More than 10,000 troops and police battle floodwaters as the Danube river reaches record
levels.
General elections return to power Socialist-led coalition under Prime Minister Ferenc
Gyurcsany.
Thousands rally in Budapest demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Gyurcsany,
after it was revealed his government had lied during elections.
news.bbc.co.uk
Foundation of the Hungarian state; St. Stephen, the first Hungarian king converts the
country to western Christianity. Western orientation.
Andrew II (1175-1235) issues the Golden Bull stating the basic rights and privileges of the
nobility; it plays a role similar to that of the Magna Carta of 1215.
Mongolian invasion.
Hungary is a wealthy and flourishing kingdom again. In the 14th century it extends its
borders to the Baltic, the Black Sea, and the Adriatic Sea.
The court of king Matthias Hunyadi Corvinus is a center of Renaissance culture, visited by
numerous great humanist thinkers and artists of the period. A core mercenary army was
constructed, and modern managerial practices were established to control the Hungarian
economy. Matthias Corvinus appoints Magyars to the most important offices and
authorities, though the German population (approx. 50%) retains its own rights; struggle
against the Turks.
Peasant's uprising weakens the country
Crushing defeat of the Hungarian army at the hands of the Turks in the Battle of Mohács.
Country split into three parts: the west ceded to the Habsburgs, the principality of
Transylvania established in the east, the central regions under Turkish occupation
Under Turkish rule (lasting 145 years) Buda becomes the western outpost of the Ottoman
Empire.
Recapture of Buda and Pest by the Imperial troops under Prince Eugene of Savoy.
The entire Hungary goes under Habsburg rule, in a semi-colonial situation.
Independence struggle against the Habsburg claim to power in Transylvania led by Prince
Ferenc II Rákóczi -defeated.
Hungarian becomes the official language.
March 15, 1848: the national independence struggle leads to revolution (proclamation of
independence on 14 April 1849). August 1849: Russian troops coming to help Austria
suppress Hungarians' fight for independence.
Pest becomes seat of the Imperial Diet and of all Hungarian offices of the Austro-
Hungarian Dual Monarchy.
Austrian Emperor Francis Joseph I crowned King of Hungary. Economic, social and
political development.
The Monarchy, allied with the German empire, is defeated in the First World War.
Bourgeois democratic revolution, republic proclaimed
Bolshevik, soviet republic lasting 133 days
In the Treaty of Trianon, Hungary loses two-thirds of its territory and one-third of its
population; 3 million Hungarians are left outside the country's borders.
The regency of Miklós Horthy. Hungary is a kingdom without a king, governed by a
conservative elite, which obstructs social and political development. From the start,
Horthy endeavours to have Hungary's original borders restored and sets up a
conservative parliamentary regime with dictatorial elements.
During the Second World War, Hungary allows German troops to cross its territory on their
way to Yugoslavia. Prime minister Count Teleki commits suicide.
Hungary declares war on the Soviet Union; following devastating defeat of 2nd Hungarian
army.
After six-week siege, Budapest occupied by German troops. Persecution of Jews begins
under direction of Eichmann. Provisional government declares war on Germany.
After a year of devastating war, Hungary is "liberated" from the German troops and
conquered by the Soviet Red Army. The capital and most of its industry is lying in ruins.
The country is governed by a coalition of political parties; parliamentary democracy is
disturbed by strong Soviet pressure and interference. At the elections of 1945, the
Communist party receives only 17 % of votes. At the 1947 elections, in spite of large scale
electoral cheating, it receives only 22 %.
Turning point; the Hungarian Workers’ Party (which is a forced alliance of the
Communists and the Social Democrats) seizes power and establishes a totalitarian one-
party rule.
The first attempt at loosening the totalitarian rule; the first government of Imre Nagy.
Come-back of the Stalinists
National uprising against Soviet domination and the beginning of a democratic revolution
against communist rule. October 23: beginning of the Hungarian Revolution against
Soviet rule which is brutally crushed by the invasion of Soviet troops on 4 November 1956.
Re-establishment of communist rule.
The Kádár regime - Socialist People's Republic with one-party system. After bloody
reprisals in 1957-58, and the execution of former prime minister Imre Nagy and about 400
freedom fighters and politicians, a slow liberalisation begins in the mid 1960s. The 1970s
are the “goulash-communism” of Kádár: relative affluence, gradual relaxation of political
control, enlightened and paternalistic absolutism. In 1968, the so-called New Economic
System is launched, which is the first important step on the road of transforming the
centralised and planned state socialist economy into a market or mixed economy. In
1970, the reform process is obstructed by the conservative forces and slowed down by the
resistance of Brezhnev and the Soviet leadership. Economic and social crisis followed.
Hungary opens its borders to Austria and lets Germans from East-Germany go to the
"West". October 23 - Proclamation of the Republic of Hungary – end of the Socialist
People's Republic.
The first free parliamentary election in forty-two years (- adopted from Hankiss, E.(1990)
East European Alternatives, Clarendon Press, Oxford. 275-277) Victory of the conservative
Hungarian Democratic Forum under Prime Minister József Antall. Hungary joins the
Council of Europe (6 November 1990).
New things introduced: multi-party system, private ownership,increasing unemployment,
adjusting from backward technology to top technology. Major reduction in social welfare
and security, no job security, increasing gap between the rich and the poor. The
abolishment of free health care and free higher education.
Visegrád Group formed (together with Poland and the then Czechoslovakia)
Red Army withdraws from Hungary.
Warsaw Pact dissolved
Association Agreement signed with the EC (in force since 1 February 1994)
Admission to NATO's North Atlantic Cooperation Council
Second free elections: victory of the moderat left wing Hungarian Socialist Party under
Prime Minister Gyula Horn; coalition formed with the liberal Alliance of Free Democrats
Hungary applies to join the EU.
Hungary invited to begin accession negotiations with the European Union at the European
Council meeting in Luxembourg
NATO Protocol of Accession signed
First (screening) phase of EU accession negotiations begins.
Parliamentary elections: victory of moderate right-wing FIDESZ-MPP which forms a
coalition with the FKgP and MDF under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
Accession negotiations with EU begin.
Hungary joins NATO.
Professor Ferenc Mádl elected President
Parliamentary elections won by the moderate-left wing MSzP which forms a coalition
government with the liberal SzDSz, headed by prime minister Péter Medgyessy.
Successful conclusion to negotiations for the EU accession treaty
Main source: The Shadow of Hungarian History, Dr. Katalin Illés & Dr. Bronwen Rees,
2000, Anglia Business School, Cambridge, UK
Hungary joins the European Union
Former sports minister Ferenc Gyurcsany becomes prime minister following resignation
of Peter Medgyessy in row with coalition partner over reshuffle.
Low turnout invalidates referendum on whether or not to offer citizenship to some five
million ethnic Hungarians living outside Hungary.
Parliament ratifies EU constitution.
Parliament chooses opposition-backed Laszlo Solyom as next president after Socialists'
candidate is blocked by their Free Democrat coalition partners.
More than 10,000 troops and police battle floodwaters as the Danube river reaches record
levels.
General elections return to power Socialist-led coalition under Prime Minister Ferenc
Gyurcsany.
Thousands rally in Budapest demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Gyurcsany,
after it was revealed his government had lied during elections.
news.bbc.co.uk
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Hungarian
Culture, Language & Relocation Resources
Culture, Language & Relocation Resources
| - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - HUNGARIAN VALUES & THINKING - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
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| - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - HUNGARIAN CULTURE - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
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| - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - FAMILY ACTIVITIES IN BUDAPEST - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
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| - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - RELOCATION TO HUNGARY - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |