6 October
The Memorial Day of
the Martyrs of Arad

The 1848/49 War of Independence was of decisive importance in the life of Hungary, marking the completion of the country's civil transformation.
The fight was for an independent and sovereign Hungary.

The country established its own army, issued the Declaration of Independence, and then won decisive battles against the Austrians during the Spring Campaign. On May 1, 1849, Emperor Franz Joseph I requested military assistance from Tsar Nicholas I of Russia to suppress the Hungarian War of Independence. The Tsar announced in a formal proclamation that armed help would be provided. On June 15, the Russian army, with about 200,000 soldiers, began its invasion of Hungary through the Dukla Pass. The Austrian army numbered 170,000, and the Hungarian forces consisted of 152,000 soldiers. Emperor Franz Joseph appointed Julius von Haynau as the commander-in-chief of the imperial army. The overwhelming numerical superiority of the Austrian and Russian forces led to defeats for the Hungarian army. On August 9, 1849, the Hungarian forces under General Bem suffered a decisive defeat at Temesvár.

On August 11, Lajos Kossuth resigned from the position of Governor-President, transferring the highest civil and military authority to General Artúr Görgey, who subsequently left the country at Orsova. By this time, the Hungarian army numbered around 30,000 men, and due to a lack of ammunition and weapons, they were no longer fit for combat. On August 13, General Görgey unconditionally surrendered at Világos, in front of Russian Cavalry General Rüdiger. Görgey was interned in Klagenfurt, Austria, while the other officers and soldiers were handed over to the Austrians on August 23.

On August 16, the Austrian Council of Ministers passed a resolution regarding the treatment of the Hungarians: "The officers and political leaders may leave the country, but those who do not wish to leave will face mild investigation." Later, this decision was revised, and it was declared that all officers and political leaders must be arrested and strict proceedings should be initiated against them. Tsar Nicholas I sent his son to Vienna to recommend "properly interpreted clemency" to the young Emperor Franz Joseph. However, despite this, at the time of the surrender, the Russian command had offered an amnesty.

The reprisals began. Anyone who had served the Hungarian government since October 1848 was considered a rebel. Military tribunals handed down 500 death sentences, of which 150 were carried out, and 1,200 people were sentenced to fortress imprisonment.

On October 6, 1849, the 13 Hungarian officers were executed at Arad, sentenced to death by hanging or shooting. On the same day, Count Lajos Batthyány was shot dead in Pest. Close to 50,000 soldiers from the Hungarian army were conscripted into the imperial army.

We cherish their memory with great love and deep sorrow!