Hungarian American Coalition News, 1996 (5. évfolyam, 2-3. szám)
1996 / 3. szám
Hungarian American Coalition Special Fall Commemorative Issue, 1956-1996 Vol. 5, No. 3 The Living Legacy and Challenge of 1956 The Revolution of 1956 against Soviet oppression elevated the image of Hungary in the world, including the United States. Watching dramatic newsreels of an occupied nation heroically battle the overwhelming might of Soviet tanks evoked tremendous respect for Hungarians, a sentiment which had not been seen since Lajos Kossuth’s celebrated tour of the United States in 1851. President John F. Kennedy echoed this sentiment when he said: “October 23, 1956 is a day that will forever live in the annals of free men and free nations. It was a day of courage, conscience, and triumph. No other day since history began has shown more clearly the eternal unquenchability of man’s desire to be free, whatever the odds against success, whatever the sacrifice required.” The genuine awe felt by Americans reflected their sense of helplessness and guilt as a result of Western inaction. This inaction also shattered the Eisenhower Administration’s rhetoric of “rolling back the Iron Curtain.” President Richard Nixon recalled his impressions upon visiting Hungarian refugee camps in Austria: “[I]n the young, the emotions were anger and disillusionment at having seen victory stolen away. This was coupled in many with the feeling that they had been abandoned by their natural allies—the West and, in particular, the United States.” The emotions aroused by the Revolution and its impact on Unites States’ public opinion was profound. This was due, in part, to the lack of offical support by the West. Refugees were welcomed with open arms and hearts. Walter Cronkite, the most popular news anchor at the time, hosted a one half hour T.V. entitled the “Twentieth Century.” One segment was devoted to the 1956 Revolution and periodically broadcast in the 1950s and 1960s. Time magazine’s Man of the Year was the Hungarian freedom fighter. This positive influence continues to this day. Henry Kissinger’s recent book, Diplomacy, devotes an entire chapter to the Revolution. On this 40th anniversary of the Revolution, we commemorate what in the words of Albert Camus is “a glorious heritage which we must deserve: freedom, which [the Hungarians] not only chose, but which in one single day gave back to us. This is the legacy of 1956. Today another revolution is sweeping Central and East Europe. Once again we in the United States face historical choices: will we stay fully engaged in Europe to ensure the ultimate triumph of democracy or will we neglect the emerging democracies? Will we reaffirm our traditional policy of promoting self-determination and facilitate stability by supporting the legitimate democratic demands of Hungarian minorities for cultural autonomy and local self-government or will we leave them exposed to discrimination and ethnic-based hatred by ruling majorities which hope to erode or destroy the unique characteristics of these historical communities? To paraphrase Richard Nixon, will we abandon our natural allies or champion the cause of democracy and minority rights with actions as well as eloquent but ephemeral words? Thi, is the challenge drawn from the lessons of 1956. Frank Koszorús, Jr.
