The document summarizes information about the Hungarian Freedom Monument located in Los Angeles' MacArthur Park. It was a gift from Hungarian veterans of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution to memorialize comrades and celebrate freedoms in their adopted country. The 60-foot tall monument, the tallest in LA, was designed by Gyula Bogar and sculpted by Arpad Domjan. Magyar House Research, a Hungarian-American nonprofit, now maintains the monument and educates the public about its significance in commemorating the Hungarian Revolution and struggle for freedom.

1. Magyar House Research, a non-profit educational organization, seeks to educate the public about a tall,
attractive monument crested with a great bronze bird, located at West 6 th Street & Park View in
MacArthur Park. Millions see it every year, yet few understand its significance.
The Hungarian Freedom Monument, built in 1966, is a tribute to the struggle for freedom by oppressed
people around the world. Standing 60 feet high, it is the tallest monument in Los Angeles. Like the
Statue of Liberty, a gift of friendship from France, the Monument was a gift to Los Angeles from the
city’s veterans of the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, to memorialize their fallen comrades and to
celebrate the freedoms of their adopted country. Every October since 1966, the Hungarian-American
community stages an event at the foot of the Monument in commemoration of the Revolution.
The Hungarian Freedom Monument was made possible by:
Gyula Bogar- Architect/ Designer; Arpad Domjan-Sculptor; Bela Lukaces- Structural Engineer
Arpad Ecsedy, Laszlo Tarnoki, Gyula Toghia, Nandor Modrovich-Cordinator of Volunteers, and the many
other contributors to this historical project.
Magyar House Research, a Hungarian-American institute based in Los Angeles, has assumed
responsibility for the Monument’s promotion and maintenance. Thanks to the efforts of this
organization, the Los Angeles City Council now funds the maintenance. One of the goals of the institute
is to have all Angelinos, regardless of ethnicity, understand the Monument’s significance, and it is very
much in the interest of the Hungarian community to get involved. For more information, please contact
Steve Hideg, Project Director for Magyar House Research, at (323) 469-4855.
MAGYAR HOUSE RESEARCH is a privately held Hungarian-American institute founded in 1990 by
musician Steve Hideg along with several of his fellow Hungarian-American immigrants.
The mission of the Magyar House Research:
 The ongoing examination of the local Hungarian immigrant community.
 The study of social and political history of Los Angeles’ Hungarian immigrant community.
 Promoting the well-being and development of Los Angeles’ Hungarian community, including
advocacy for a new, up-to-date Hungarian community center, which is very much needed.
 Raising the awareness of the dangers of smoking through the American Lung Association’s
Freedom from Smoking program within the Hungarian-American community.

2.  Disseminating information on the history and significance of the Hungarian Freedom Monument
in MacArthur Park to the general public.
 Promoting jazz, America’s unique art form, among Los Angeles’ Hungarian immigrants to
increase understanding of American culture.
 Raising awareness of Hungarian culture, language, music, and history among the general public,
especially the student population, as part of the Los Angeles Unified School District’s
Intercultural Awareness Program.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE HUNGARIAN REVOLUTION OF 1956 (Courtesy of Wikipedia.org)
The Hungarian Revolution of 1956 was a spontaneous nationwide revolt against the Stalinist
government of Hungary and its Soviet-imposed policies, lasting from the 23 rd of October until
the 10th of November 1956.
The revolt began as a student demonstration witch attracted thousands as it marched through
central Budapest to the Parliament building. A student delegation entering the radio building in
an attempt to broadcast its demands was detained. When the delegation’s release was
demanded by the demonstrators outside, they were fired upon by the State Security Police
(AVH) from within the building. The news spread quickly and disorder and violence erupted
throughout the capitol.
The revolt spread quickly across Hungary, and the government fell. Thousands organized into
militias, battling the State Security Police (AVH) and Soviet troops. Pro-Soviet communists and
AVH members were often executed or imprisoned, as former prisoners were released and
armed. Impromptu councils rested municipal control from the ruling Hungarian Working
Peoples Party, and demanded political changes. The new government formally disbanded from
the AVH, declared its intention to withdraw from the Warsaw Pact and pledged to re-establish
free elections. By the end of October, fighting had almost stopped and a sense of normalcy
began to return.
After announcing the willingness to negotiate a withdraw of Soviet forces, the Politburo
changed its mind and moved to crush the revolution. On the 4 th of November, a large Soviet
force invaded Budapest and other regions of the country. Hungarian resistance continued until
the 10th of November. Over 2,500 Hungarians and 700 Soviets were killed in the conflict, and

3. 200,000 Hungarians fled as refugees. Mass arrests and denunciations continued for months
thereafter. By January 1957, the new Soviet-installed government had suppressed all public
opposition. These Soviet actions alienated many Western Marxists, yet strengthened Soviet
control over Central Europe, cultivating the perception that communism was both irreversible
and monolithic.