15th March - Revolution Day and a National Holiday in Hungary

On 15th March Hungarians commemorate the Revolution and the following War of
Independence against the Austrian-Habsburg rule in 1848-49.This day is one of the most
prominent National Holidays in Hungary. Shops and services are closed on 15th March.
Public transport services operate according to holiday schedule, meaning less frequent
services. Most cafés and restaurants are open, especially in downtown Budapest.
On 15th March in 1848 Sándor Petőfi recited the poem „Rise up, Magyar, the country calls!”
from the stairs of the Hungarian National Museum for thousands of people. Petőfi's passionate
recitation marks the beginning of the revolution against the Habsburg regime. He was killed
in one of the last battles of the war in 1849.
On 15th March Budapest is dressed up in red, white and green, the national tricolours of
Hungary. People also wear tricolor cockades pinned to their clothes.
Many other events accompany the celebrations including musical and theatrical performances.
Kids can go a round on horse back with the help of hussars dressed in traditional uniforms in
the garden of the National Museum. Ministers and government representatives place wreaths
to the satatues of the famous heroes, poems are told and songs are sung that day throughout
the country.