World · Europe · 4 hrs ago
Hungary marks 70 years since the 1956 uprising
Hungarian leaders and European officials gathered in Budapest to mark 70 years since the 1956 uprising against Soviet rule.
The revolt began with a student march on 23 October, but Soviet troops returned and crushed it, killing as many as 3,000 people; about 200,000 Hungarians fled the country.
Prime Minister Péter Magyar laid flowers at memorials and graves, while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa joined the commemorations.
Magyar took office in May after defeating Viktor Orbán in an April election, and his Tisza party now holds a two-thirds majority in parliament.
His government has unlocked 16.4 billion euros in EU funds after making reforms, but further funding remains tied to concerns over rule of law and corruption.
The EU says more reforms are needed before additional funds can be released, a key challenge for Magyar’s government.
Hungary marked the 70th anniversary of its 1956 anti-Soviet uprising with ceremonies in Budapest on Friday.
Prime Minister Péter Magyar laid flowers at graves and memorials and oversaw a flag-raising ceremony outside parliament.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa joined the commemorations.
The uprising began on 23 October 1956 and was crushed by Soviet forces, with as many as 3,000 people killed.
The anniversary also highlighted Magyar’s efforts to rebuild Hungary’s relations with Europe after Viktor Orbán left power.
- Who
- Hungary’s Prime Minister Péter Magyar led commemorations. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa also attended.
- What
- Hungary marked the 70th anniversary of the 1956 anti-Soviet uprising.
- When
- Friday, 23 October 2026.
- Where
- Budapest, Hungary, including Kossuth Square and the parliament.
- Why
- To commemorate the uprising and those killed in it, and to mark its 70th anniversary.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The uprising began with a students’ march in Budapest and spread across Hungary.
Revolutionaries ousted Hungary’s Stalinist leader and Soviet troops were forced out of Budapest.
The Red Army returned to Budapest and suppressed the revolution.
Péter Magyar defeated Viktor Orbán in an election.
Magyar took office as prime minister.
Hungary held commemorations marking 70 years since the uprising.
- Anniversary
- 70 years
- Uprising began
- 23 October 1956
- People killed
- As many as 3,000
- People who fled Hungary
- Around 200,000
- Prime minister
- Péter Magyar
- European Commission president
- Ursula von der Leyen
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What people are saying
it is even better if the whole world remembers this revolution and the Hungarians’ love for freedom.
I am very happy that the Hungarian voters have helped us and their country so we can celebrate the 70th anniversary in a truly free, independent, democratic, sovereign and European Hungary, for which they have fought and sacrificed a lot.