October 23, 1956

IN THE WORLD

The Hungarian Revolution of 1956, or the Hungarian Uprising, was a nationwide revolution against the Hungarian People's Republic and its Soviet-imposed policies, lasting from October 23, 1956 until November 10, 1956. It was the first major threat to Soviet control since the Red Army drove Nazi Germany from its territory at the end of World War II in Europe. The revolt began as a student protest, which attracted thousands as they marched through central Budapest to the Hungarian Parliament Building, calling out on the streets using a van with loudspeakers. A student delegation, entering the radio building to try to broadcast the students' demands, was detained. During the night of October 23, the Hungarian Working People's Party Secretary requested Soviet military intervention "to suppress a demonstration that was reaching an ever greater and unprecedented scale". By 02:00 on October 24, acting in accordance with orders of the Soviet defense minister, Soviet tanks entered Budapest. By noon on October 24, 1956, Soviet tanks were stationed outside the Parliament, and Soviet soldiers were guarding key bridges and crossroads.