22 July
Commemoration of the
Victory of Nándorfehérvár

July 22
Commemoration of the Victory of Nándorfehérvár
(National Day of Mourning in Hungary)

On July 22, the Hungarian National Assembly declared it the Victory of Nándorfehérvár Memorial Day through Resolution 58/2011. The battle, fought in 1456, was one of the most significant events in the defense of Hungary and Europe from the Ottoman Empire's expansion.

In the 15th century, the Ottoman Empire pursued an expansionist policy. Sultan Mehmed II, a talented and ambitious ruler, led a military force that was superior to the European armies of the time. After conquering Byzantium in May 1453, it was expected that he would turn his attention to Europe next.

During a Holy Roman Empire assembly, it was recognized that Hungary would not be able to stop the Ottomans on its own. In 1455, Pope Callixtus III initiated talks with European rulers to use the Church's tithe for arming soldiers. However, this plan ultimately did not materialize. Three weeks before the Battle of Nándorfehérvár, the Pope ordered the ringing of bells and prayers for those fighting against the Turks.

The Hungarian Estates confirmed John Hunyadi as the chief commander. He imposed a tax on each household and ordered the levying of soldiers — four cavalrymen and two infantrymen from every hundred households. It was expected that the barons, nobles, and bishops would also take up arms. Hunyadi set off southwards with his own army, and John of Capistrano, a Franciscan friar, was tasked by the Pope to raise a crusading army, which also made its way to the southern regions.

Given that the Ottoman army was dependent on supplies, including water, it was anticipated that Nándorfehérvár (modern-day Belgrade) would be the point of clash between the two armies. New research suggests that the Ottoman forces numbered around 50,000, including both regular and irregular troops. The Hungarian defenders were between 5,000–7,000, with Hunyadi's army around 10,000–12,000 and Capistrano's crusaders about 30,000–35,000. To prevent supplies reaching the fortress, Sultan Mehmed II ordered the chaining of 200 ships, blocking the Danube River. As a result, Hunyadi and Capistrano's forces could not assist the besieged fortress until they broke through the naval blockade after intense fighting.

Mihály Szilágyi, inside the fortress, sent out 40 boats to help with the fight on the Danube. This allowed the relieving army to enter the fortress. The crossing took place during the night, so Mehmed was unaware of the reinforcements inside the fortress. On July 21, he ordered an attack. By the time the crusaders arrived, the defenders' numbers had risen to 20,000. After midnight, the battle took place inside the fortress walls. The defenders prevented the Ottoman flag from being raised, and the hero of the victory was Dugovics Titusz. By dawn on July 22, the crusader cavalry appeared behind the Ottoman troops, and by morning, all Ottoman forces were driven out of the city. The Ottomans suffered heavy losses.

The crusaders, who only answered to Capistrano, fought independently, crossing the Sava River and attacking the Romanian cavalry. Hunyadi realized that the Ottoman artillery was left unprotected, and so he launched a breakout from the fortress and captured the Ottoman cannons. Hungarian cavalry surrounded the Ottoman cavalry, effectively deciding the outcome of the battle.

The Ottomans retreated under the cover of night, marking a great victory for Hungary and Europe.

However, in 1521, the Ottomans captured Nándorfehérvár, which eventually fell to their rule.