This Christmas tree image was taken in Hungary in 1940. In November of the same year the country had joined the Axis Powers, and remained both staunchly pro-German and fascist throughout the Second World War.
Tag Archives: Hungary
On this day: Hungary’s Arrow Cross Party takes power
The flag of the Arrow Cross
Very similar to Germany’s Nazi Party, Hungary’s Arrow Cross party took power on the 15th of October, 1944.
Following similar ideas to Hitler, during Arrow Cross’ reign thousands of people died, and tens of thousands of people were deported.
Just as the Nazis did, party members believed in a “master race”. Their view of this race included Hungarians and Germans. Ironically, the party’s views on race clashed with Hitler’s plans for central Europe.
Jewish victims of Arrow Cross anti-Semitism. X
By early 1945, Arrow Cross had almost lost power. After World War Two had ended, members of the party were tried on war crimes.
On this day: The First Battle of the Isonzo
Fought between Italy and Austria-Hungary, the First Battle of the Isonzo concluded on the 7th of July, 1915.
Despite being outnumbered two to one, Austria-Hungary defeated Italy in a battle that began on the 23rd of the previous month.
On this day: the Battle of Ménfő
The Battle of Ménfő was fought between the Germans and the Magyars (Hungarians) in present-day Hungary on the 6th of July, 1044. It was a victory for the Germans.
A 14th century depiction of the battle:
On this day: the Treznea Massacre
Hungarian troops nearby the day before the massacre
On the 9th of September, 1940, at least 93 (and up to 263, depending on which country is reporting) Romanians were massacred by Hungarian troops in the village of Treznea during the handing over of Northern Transylvania.
Amongst the dead were the local priest, the schoolteacher and his wife. The Orthodox church was partially burnt down.
This is a controversial event in the history of the Second World War, and historians in Hungary present a very different version of events to historians in Romania.
40th anniversary of the Rubik’s Cube
According to Google, today is the 40th anniversary of the Hungarian-invented Rubik’s Cube. Originally called the Magic Cube, it was created by Budapest-born Ernő Rubik.
It’s actually a little difficult to pinpoint the “birthday”, as it went through many phases, stages and versions before coming to be the frustrating and addictive toy it is today.
Hungarian commemorative stamp for the first Rubik’s Cube World Championship, which was held in Budapest on the 5th of June, 1982.
As a child of the Eighties, there was always at least one of these things around when I was growing up. We never actually tried to complete it; we just like fiddling with the silly thing!
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