The Eighth Hungarian Tribe, 1984 (11. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1984-04-01 / 4. szám
EIGHTH VOLUME XI, NO. 4 HUNGARIAN HUNGARIANS IN AMERICA ■ $150 I T I rISSN 0272-1341) TRIBE APRIL, 1984 APRIL IN HUNGARIAN HISTORY Two hundred and forty-nine years ago this month, one of the greatest heroes in Hungarian history and one of the most charismatic died in exile. He was Prince Ferenc Rákóczi II. Prince Ferenc Rákóczi II came from an ancient Transylvanian family renowned for their brilliant leadership, courageous exploits, and love of country. His mother was Ilona Zrínyi, the daughter of a famous martyr in the cause of freedom and, in her own right, the “Heroine of Munkács”. His father, Prince Ferenc Rákóczi I, was the descendent of a long line of Transylvanian princes and freedom fighters. His stepfather, Imre Thököly, was, in fact, the last great freedom fighter of the 17th Century. With such a family bloodline as this, it is no wonder that Prince Ferenc Rákóczi II took up his sword and led his “Kuruc” (Crusaders) in a 8-year-long struggle to free Hungary from Austrian oppression. Prince Rákóczi won the battle but lost the war. He became the “Ruling Prince” of Hungary, but his good intentions were undermined by monetary difficulties and unfavorable international developments. Worse yet, the Black Plague hit Hungary with a vengeance, killing off 20% of the population. This catastrophe was followed by another: his army commander’s unauthorized surrender to the Austrians. Prince Rákóczi first fled to Poland, then to France, and finally to Turkey, where he died on April 8, 1735. His remains were eventually returned to Hungary and buried with great pomp and ceremony in the town of Kassa. Strange as it may seem, however, this great hero of Hungary still is in exile from his native land. For Kassa, where he is buried, now belongs to Czechoslovakia! PRINCE FERENC RÁKÓCZI II (1676-1735)
