Fun with Maps ISSUE 2025-175

By Steve Kovacs (Introduction by Chuck Gibson)

LOVELAND, OH (October 23, 2025) – In today’s edition of Fun with Maps, we look at an important day for Hungarians.  

Hungary Flies the Coop

Hungary officially declared independence from the Soviet block on October 23, 1989.

The Allies divided up the losing side of Europe after World War II.  The Soviet Union was looking for a buffer zone and thus was born the Soviet block.  They also wanted more territory to control.

Hungary was one of those nations falling under Soviet influence.  In 1956 they revolted but the short-lived rebellion was crushed when the Soviets sent in the military.

Finally, given economic issues and Gorbachev at the helm of Soviet Union, the party ended and the Soviet block was separated into its building blocks starting in 1989, interestingly without bloodshed.

Hungary, along with the other satellites nations soon joined the European Union and NATO.

This topographical map of Hungary is from the 1960s.

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.