FUN WITH MAPS ISSUE 2024-156

By Steve Kovacs (Introduction by Chuck Gibson)

LOVELAND, OH (August 20, 2024) – In this edition of Fun with Maps we sort through some history of Hungary … and celebrate!  

HUNGARY’S NATIONAL HOLIDAY

Today is Hungary’s Foundation Day, August 20, a National Holiday.  It is also a religious holiday, St. Stephen’s Day as King Stephen was canonized, first Hungarian to become a saint, on August 20, 1083 by the Pope.

Stephen was crowned by another Pope the first King of Hungary on Christmas day in the year 1000, signaling the end of paganism and full adaptation of Christianity by the Hungarians.

Stephen traces his roots to Arpad, who united the the eight Hungarian tribes sometime around 900, forming one principality which evolved into a country.  This royal bloodline starting with Arpad lasted for another 400 years.

For some 40 years under the Communist regime August 20 was also a holiday, but called Constitution Day, in an attempt to counter the religious aspect of the day.

If you can remember all this about this slice of Hungarian history, you get an A.

This map of Hungary is from 1897.  After World War I, Hungary lost about 2/3 of its land to neighbors, as part of the post war treaties punishing the losing side.

Steve Kovacs and his wife Theresa reside in Loveland, Ohio where they raised their two children. He is a passionate collector of antique maps.

Visit his antique map boutique world-on-paper online. Watch for his daily feature Steve Kovacs: Fun with Maps here on Loveland Beacon.