March 15 – National flag hoisted by Hungarian Parliament – PHOTOS

The national flag was hoisted with military honours in front of Parliament on Monday morning, marking the anniversary of Hungary’s anti-Habsburg revolution that started on March 15, 1848.

The single central event of this year’s March 15 national holiday was followed by only a few people in Kossuth Square, where President János Áder is scheduled to deliver a speech.

Like last year, all other state commemorations have been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Though the Kossuth and Széchenyi Awards will also be handed out at a later date, the names of the recipients will be released today.

Budapest, Hungary. March 15 – National flag hoisted by Parliament. Photo: MTI

Budapest, Hungary. March 15 – National flag hoisted by Parliament. Photo: MTI

The revolution and freedom fight was part of a series of uprisings in Europe in 1848.

On March 15, citizens of Pest gathered in front of the National Museum and demanded independence from Habsburg rule.

Budapest, Hungary. March 15 – National flag hoisted by Parliament. Photo: MTI

Budapest, Hungary. March 15 – National flag hoisted by Parliament. Photo: MTI

Budapest, Hungary. March 15 – National flag hoisted by Parliament. Photo: MTI

Budapest, Hungary. March 15 – National flag hoisted by Parliament. Photo: MTI

Hungary’s first independent government with Count Lajos Batthyány as prime minister approved a reform package called the April laws. Later, the uprising grew into a war of independence, stifled by Austria and Russia in late 1849.

Read also: 

• Why do Hungarians celebrate March 15 so vehemently?
• 5 interesting facts about the Hungarian National Day, March 15

Source: MTI