The history of Hungary unfolds as a captivating saga, deeply rooted in the heart of Europe and marked by a dynamic interplay of civilizations. Stretching back over a millennium, Hungary’s story is one of triumphs and tribulations, conquests and resistance, shaping a nation that proudly bears the imprints of its past. From the arrival of the Magyars in the 9th century to the medieval glory of the Kingdom of Hungary, the Ottoman conquests, and the Habsburg era, the country has weathered the storms of history with resilience and tenacity. Its struggle for independence, the formation of a modern state, and the challenges of the 20th century further underscore Hungary’s remarkable journey. As a bridge between East and West, the historical narrative of Hungary weaves together threads of cultural richness, political complexity, and a spirit of endurance that defines its enduring legacy.

• 9th Century

  Arrival of the Magyars – The Magyar tribes, led by Prince Árpád, settle in the Carpathian Basin, laying the foundation for the Hungarian state.

• 1000 AD:

  Stephen I’s Coronation – Stephen I becomes the first King of Hungary and embraces Christianity, shaping the country’s cultural and religious identity.

• 1241-1242:

  Mongol Invasion – Hungary faces devastation as Mongol invaders ravage the land, leaving lasting impacts on its population and infrastructure.

• 14th-15th Centuries:

  Golden Age of Hungary – The Kingdom of Hungary flourishes economically and culturally, becoming a significant power in Central Europe.

• 1526:

  Battle of Mohács – Ottoman Victory – The Ottoman Turks defeat Hungary at the Battle of Mohács, leading to a prolonged period of Ottoman rule in parts of the country.

• 17th Century:

  Habsburg Rule – Hungary comes under Habsburg control, marking the beginning of a complex relationship with the Austrian monarchy.

• 1840:

  Introduction of Postage Stamps – Hungary issues its first postage stamps, contributing to the development of organized postal services.

• 1848-1849:

  Hungarian Revolution – Hungarians rebel against Habsburg rule, seeking independence and democratic reforms, but the revolution is ultimately suppressed.

  Following the unsuccessful revolution of 1848, the Hungarian postal service was reintegrated into Austrian administration. On 26 December 1850, Emperor Franz Joseph I implemented a Postal Patent, reinstating the pre-1848 postal conditions. Subsequent years witnessed significant developments, including the amalgamation of regular and mail-coach delivery services. Additionally, the year 1850 saw the introduction of postage stamps and money orders. A notable advancement occurred in 1855 when letters began to be delivered to home addresses, trains were enlisted for letter transport, and express delivery services were inaugurated in 1859. Notably, on 1 June 1867, postage stamps specific to the dual monarchy of Austria-Hungary were issued in eight denominations, accompanied by a 1 Kreuzer (krajcár in Hungarian) newspaper stamp. The withdrawal of Austrian stamps from the Kingdom of Hungary took effect on 31 May 1867, marking the commencement of just over a year’s usage of the dual monarchy stamps in the region.

• 1867:

  First Stamps Issued: for Austria and Hungary, June 1, 1867

   

  Austro-Hungarian Compromise – The Austro-Hungarian Empire is established, granting Hungary greater autonomy within a dual monarchy.

  Austro-Hungarian Postal Union – The Austro-Hungarian Empire establishes a postal union, streamlining postal services within the empire.

  Enacted through the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867, the Hungarian postal system underwent a reorganization, falling under the jurisdiction of the Agricultural, Industrial, and Commercial Ministry of the Kingdom of Hungary. Minister István Gorove appointed Mihály Gervay as the managing director of the Hungarian post. Legislation specified that the postal services of Austria and Hungary were to be treated as distinct entities while adhering to common principles. This legal framework reinstated the use of the Hungarian language and national symbols. The post’s emblem, featuring a tasseled postal horn beneath the Hungarian crown, was crafted and remained in use until the conclusion of World War Two. The present emblem is a simplified iteration of this original design. Notably, the stamps of the Imperial and Royal (K.u.K.) Empire, ranging from 2 to 50 kreuzer, continued to be valid until 31 July 1871.

• 1868

  First stamps issued for Hungary alone, June 20th, 1868.

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  1869

  In a pioneering move in 1869, the Austrian and Hungarian postal services introduced Postal cards, a novel concept globally. These cards, distinct from postcards, eliminated the need for separate stamps and were referred to as “Korrespondenz Karte” in German. The widespread adoption of this communication method is evident in the delivery of over 2.5 million postal cards by 1871. This popularity continued to surge, reaching 6.5 million by 1873. Remarkably, by the turn of the century in 1900, an estimated 25 million items were successfully delivered using this innovative postal card system.

• 

  1871

  On 1 May 1871, the inaugural Hungarian postage stamp made its debut. Produced by the State Press of Buda through lithography, the stamp was later complemented by an engraved set and newspaper stamps. The design featured no specific language indication, but the visage of Franz Josef was prominently positioned above the national emblem for denominations ranging from 2 to 25 kreuzer. Notably, the 25 kreuzer image played a crucial role in distinguishing these releases.

  The initial impression of the stamp was of subpar quality, leading to the necessity of destroying a significant portion of it. Only a limited quantity of this initial impression was released in August 1873, rendering stamps from this batch particularly rare, such as the 2 kreuzer dark yellow variant.

   

  The stamp series of 1871 and 1871-1872 featured a portrait of Franz Joseph I but did not identify the issuing postal authority. Subsequent Hungarian stamps are either inscribed Magyar Posta (Hungarian Post) or Magyar Kir Posta (Hungarian Royal Post).

• 1918:

  End of World War I – Hungary loses significant territory with the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The First Hungarian Republic is declared.

• 1920:

  Treaty of Trianon – Hungary signs the Treaty of Trianon, losing more than two-thirds of its territory and a significant portion of its population.

• 1944-1945:

  World War II and Soviet Occupation – Hungary experiences devastation during the war, followed by Soviet occupation and the establishment of a communist government.

• 1945:

  Post-World War II Reconstruction – Hungary’s postal system undergoes reconstruction after the damages incurred during World War II.

• 1850

  First Stamps: Austrian Stamps, June 1, 1850

• 1956:

  Hungarian Revolution – A failed uprising against Soviet influence and communist rule takes place, resulting in a harsh Soviet crackdown.

• 1989:

  Fall of Communism – Hungary plays a pivotal role in the fall of communism in Eastern Europe, leading to the establishment of a democratic government.

  Modernization and Liberalization – With the fall of communism, Hungary’s postal services undergo modernization and liberalization, adapting to a changing economic and political landscape.

• 2004

  European Union Accession – Hungary becomes a member of the European Union, marking a new chapter in its post-communist era.

  European Postal Integration – Hungary aligns its postal services with European Union standards, contributing to the integration of postal networks across member states.