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Imre Nagy is Executed
Imre Nagy lead the unsuccessful 1956 Hungarian Uprising. The Soviet Union executed Nagy to make an example of Hungary and discourage other countries in their sphere of influence from rising up against the Soviet Union. Nagy was replaced with Matyas Rakosi, who was loyal to Moscow and the Soviets. Central Intelligence Agency." CIA World Factbook. CIA. Web. 04 June 2012. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/hu.html. -
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Hungarian Round Table Talks
A series of talks between numerous parties to discuss the end of the communist party and how to create a multi-party democracy. The talks ended with a total reform of the Hungarian constitution, and the Communist party had finally lost its grip on power. Central Intelligence Agency." CIA World Factbook. CIA. Web. 04 June 2012. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/hu.html. -
Removal of Hungary's Border Fence with Austria
Hungarians begin to remove the 150 mile long fence that borders Austria. This allowed thousands of East German citizens on vacation to escape to Austria and then safely travel to West Germany. The removal of the fence infuriated numerous Soviet-bloc governments, viewing it as a "crack" in the iron curtain. "Hungary Timeline." BBC News. BBC, 14 Feb. 2012. Web. 04 June 2012. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/1054642.stm -
Imre Nagy's Funeral
Imre Nagy, prime minister of Hungary during the ill-fated 1956 Revolutions of Hungary is given a proper funeral in Budapest. Over 300,000 people attended, which sent a statement to Soviets that they desire independence and wish all Soviet troops would leave. Central Intelligence Agency." CIA World Factbook. CIA. Web. 04 June 2012. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/hu.html. -
Hungarian Socialist Party
With no more Soviet overwatch, Hungary converted itself to a Republic. The new govenrment guarented multiparty elections, human and civil rights, and split power between a judicial, executive, and legeslative branch. The leader of the newly formed Republic of Hungary was Matyas Szuros. Central Intelligence Agency." CIA World Factbook. CIA. Web. 04 June 2012. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/hu.html. -
The First Free Parliamentary Election
This first free parliamentary election is held in Budapest. Democratic Forum (MDF) winning 43% of the vote and the Free Democrats (SZDSZ) capturing 24%. Under Prime Minister Jozsef Antall, the coalition governments achieved a reasonably well-functioning parliamentary democracy and laid the foundation for a free market economy. These elections finally rided Hungary of any signs of the past government. -
József Antall is elected prime minister
After being elected the president of the MDF in 1989 and after the National Roundtable Talks, József Antall was the first freely elected prime minister. Antall's tenure saw the return to capitalistism and the most stable Eastern Europe government after the fall of the Soviet bloc, but his term was cut short when on December 12, 1993 he died of cancer. Central Intelligence Agency." CIA World Factbook. CIA. Web. 04 June 2012. <https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/hu.h -
Hungary Withdraws from the Warsaw Pact
Coinciding with the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Hungary, Hungary also withdrew from the Warsaw Pact, which was the first step in joining NATO. Hungary had joined the pact in 1955, which allowed the Soviet troops to enter the country in the first place. In 1999 Hungary was finally allowed to join NATO. "Hungary Timeline." BBC News. BBC, 14 Feb. 2012. Web. 04 June 2012. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/1054642.stm -
The End of Soviet Military Presence/Day of the Independent Hungary
Ever since the Hungarian Revolutions of 1956, the Soviet Union had a strong military presence in Hungary. It was not until Revolutions of 1989 that the Soviet military started to leave the country. Starting in July 1990 and ending nearly a year later, the final 40,000 Soviet troops pulled out of Hungary. "Hungary Timeline." BBC News. BBC, 14 Feb. 2012. Web. 04 June 2012. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/1054642.stm -
Referendum to Join NATO/EU
A referendum is passed in the Hungarian Parliament, which started open talks to join both NATO and the European Union. The EU begins open membership talks openly shortly there after. In 1999 Hungary joined NATO and on May 2004 Hungary joined the EU. "Hungary Timeline." BBC News. BBC, 14 Feb. 2012. Web. 04 June 2012. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/1054642.stm
