National Flag Raised in Front of Parliament

Hungary's national flag was raised with military honors on the Lajos Kossuth Square in front of Parliament this Sunday morning, on the national holiday marking the 1848-49 revolution and freedom fight. The day also saw major political rallies.

The flag was raised and the national anthem performed in the presence of President Tamás Sulyok.

March 15th marks the beginning of the 1848-49 revolution and war of independence against the Austrian Habsburg rule, and was declared a public holiday in 1989. Although this war of independence failed as it was crushed by the Habsburgs with the help ofRussian troops, it is one of the most significant events in Hungary's modern history, forming the cornerstone of modern Hungarian national identity.

March 15 is one of Hungary's three national holidays besides August 20 that commemorates the memory of the country's first king, Stephen and October 23, the start of the 1956 Hungarian revolution.

Many celebrations were held throughout the country and across the border in Hungarian-populated areas to commemorate the 178th anniversary of the outbreak of revolution.

In the afternoon of the national holiday, the major political parties held rallies ahead of the parliamentary elections to be held on April 12. PM Viktor Orbán spoke to the supporters of the governing party gathered in front of the Parliament building while the head of the major opposition Tisza Party, Péter Magyar was speaking to a crowd on Heroes' Square.