13 November
The Day of the
Hungarian Language

November 13. - The Day of the Hungarian Language

The Day of the Hungarian Language aims to draw public attention to the Hungarian language, which forms the foundation of the Hungarian people's spiritual and cultural heritage as well as their national identity. Initially celebrated on April 23, the day was officially moved to November 13 starting in 2011.

The idea to establish a day for the Hungarian language was proposed by Graf Rezső at the IX. General Assembly of the Association of Mother Tongue Guardians in December 2008, and the following year April 23 was chosen as the Day of the Hungarian Language. On this day, the Hungarian Language Museum was inaugurated in Széphalom, a part of Sátoraljaújhely, next to the mausoleum of Ferenc Kazinczy, a key figure in the Hungarian language reform movement.

However, on September 26, 2011, the Hungarian National Assembly officially declared November 13 as the Day of the Hungarian Language, commemorating the day in 1844 when the Hungarian language was declared the official state language. On this date, the 1844 Act II was passed, making Hungarian the official language of the state, and it laid the legal foundation for the use of Hungarian in all state documents and proceedings.

The law stated the following:

Section 1: "All royal decrees, presentations, answers, and institutions submitted to the National Assembly shall henceforth be issued solely in the Hungarian language."

Section 2: "The legal acts passed by the National Assembly, as well as all future legislation, will also be drafted and enacted solely in the Hungarian language."

Thus, November 13 holds a special significance in Hungarian history, as it marks the moment when the Hungarian language was given the legal status it enjoys today, signifying its cultural and historical importance.

The Day of the Hungarian Language encourages reflection on the value of the Hungarian language, its role in preserving the national identity, and its continued importance in the cultural and intellectual life of Hungary. Various activities and events are organized on this day to celebrate the language, including linguistic competitions, cultural programs, and educational outreach focused on promoting the preservation and development of the Hungarian language.