1956–2026: 70 Years Later

This year marks 70 years since the 1956 Hungarian Revolution, a moment that shaped not only Hungary's history, but the story of our own community here in New York, built in large part by those who fled in its aftermath. It also marks 60 years since the founding of the Hungarian House, our home for six decades of gathering, remembrance, and celebration.

To honor both milestones, we've put together a season of events dedicated to 1956 – exhibitions, lectures, conversations, and screenings – that look back at the revolution through history, photography, personal memory, and the people who lived it.

OCT 15 | AHLHS | 6 PM

The Social, Psychological, and Literary Legacy of 1956

RSVP

The Hungarian Revolution of 1956—a widely recognized popular uprising against Hungary’s communist regime – helped bring about a significant shift toward more liberal refugee policies. In his literary representations of the 1956 crisis and the refugee experience, Hungarian-American writer Sándor Márai adopts a profound and bittersweet perspective. In this lecture, Dr. Teodóra Dömötör (Károli Gáspár University, Budapest) explores Márai's transnational outlook, focusing particularly on the psychological and cultural processes of displacement, adaptation, and immigrant identity — situating his work within the broader social, psychological, and literary legacy of 1956. The lecture will be followed by a moderated Q&A with the audience.

OCT 22 - NOV 8 | Hungarian House

Recap 1956: Through the Lens of John Sadovy

RSVP

In partnership with the Hungarian House. Join us as two exhibits open together, marking 70 years since the 1956 Hungarian Revolution: Through the Lens of John Sadovy: Photojournalist John Sadovy spent four days documenting the uprising on assignment for LIFE magazine, capturing over 600 images across Budapest and at the Hungarian-Austrian border. His work earned him the 1957 Robert Capa Gold Medal and remains one of the most vivid photographic records of the Revolution. Freedom in the News, AHLHS's own curated collection of historical press clippings, drawn from our archive of 122 microfilm reels documenting how the American press covered the Revolution.

OCT 22 - DEC 31 | AHLHS | THU & SAT during opening hours or by appointment

Freedom in the News: The Exhibition

Request an Appointment

AHLHS's exhibition of American press coverage of the 1956 Revolution is on view at the Library from October 22 through December 31. Open Thursdays and Saturdays during library hours, or by appointment. The official opening is on October 29.

OCT 23 | Kossuth Statue

70th Anniversary of the 1956 Hungarian Uprising

Location

Wreath laying at the Kossuth statue in New York commemorating 70 years since the 1956 Hungarian Revolution.

OCT 29 | AHLHS | 6 PM

Freedom in the News: The 1956 Hungarian Revolution in the American Press

RSVP

Join us for the opening of an exhibition featuring a curated selection of contemporary press clippings from the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. The event will begin with an insightful panel discussion with Prof. Peter Pastor, Professor Emeritus of History at Montclair State University, and Library board member Dr. Mátyás Mervay (NYU). Together, they will explore Prof. Pastor's personal memories as a 1956 émigré in the United States, the broader historical context of the revolution, and how these historic events unfolded across American news outlets at the time. The evening will also mark the official launch of the AHLHS archival database, a newly digitized collection of nearly 2,000 historic articles related to the events in 1956 sourced from microfiche films in the library's holdings. Following the discussion, guests are invited to an audience Q&A, a reception, and an opportunity to explore the exhibition and connect with fellow attendees.

NOV 5 | AHLHS

Film Screening: Time Capsule, with Charles Vámossy

RSVP

A screening of the documentary Time Capsule, followed by a conversation with Charles Vámossy, moderated by Library board member Andrea Megyes.

Social Media

Follow The Memory Project on social media

The Memory Project, founded in 2015 by Andrea Lauer Rice and Réka Pigniczky, is a collection of interviews with Hungarian American immigrants who came to the U.S. after World War II and the 1956 Revolution. This anniversary year, we'll be sharing stories from the archive that are connected to our own community – voices and faces you may recognize – on our social media. Follow along on Instagram or Facebook to watch and listen.