This year we commemorate the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the United States and Hungary. While our historical and cultural connections span a much longer period, the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1921 formalized the enduring bonds between our countries. In that spirit, please join us as we pay tribute to a century of diplomatic ties by looking at what Americans and Hungarians have accomplished together, and what more we can do in the next 100 years. We have much to celebrate. Ünnepeljük együtt ezt a jeles évfordulót!
Past Events
Location: Budapest
Date: December 11, 2021
The National Bank of Hungary has minted a beautiful commemorative coin to mark the historic anniversary of 100 years of diplomatic relations between the United States and Hungary. Chargé d’Affaires Dillard was honored to be present at the unveiling of an exemplar of the coin by National Bank Deputy Governor Patai and to commemorate the historic ties between Hungarians and Americans.
Location: Budapest
Date: November 18, 2021
Gen. Richard D. Clarke, Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, and Maj. Gen. David Tabor, Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command Europe, visited Hungary Nov. 18 as part of a routine, regional circulation through central Europe. Clarke also delivered remarks at the Hungarian Ministry of Defense-led Resiliency Conference.
”This year we mark the hundredth anniversary of diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Hungary, and our military and security cooperation is an important part of that relationship. Hungary’s role as a NATO ally is deeply appreciated and helps ensure continued freedom across Europe for the continent’s more than 446 million residents.”
- Runoween
Location: Budapest, Margitsziget
Date: October 30, 2021
Witches, ghosts, pirates, and multiple Batmans gathered on October 30, celebrating Halloween at our Runoween event. Participants, including USG alumni, members of our Marine Security Guards, families with kids, and even dogs, completed a 5K run at Margaret island, wearing Halloween costumes, and received a beautiful medal, commemorating 100 years of diplomatic relationship between the U.S. and Hungary.
- 75th anniversary of the Global Fulbright Program and 30th of the Hungarian Fulbright Association
Location: Budapest
Date: October 8, 2021
The United States and Hungary have exchanged nearly 4,000 students, scholars, and researchers since the Fulbright program began in Hungary in 1978. Chargé d’affaires a.i. Marc Dillard delivered a keynote address at the celebration event highlighting this important bilateral connection.
- Runathon
Location: Budapest, Debrecen, Pécs, Szeged, and Veszprém
Date: June 12-20, 2021
The U.S. Embassy held a Runathon in honor of 100 years of diplomatic relations between Hungary and the United States. Participants could run or walk one of our routes in Budapest, Debrecen, Pécs, Szeged, or Veszprém, and discover some of the emblematic places that connect our two countries. The stops we included highlighted our deep historical and cultural ties, going back well beyond 100 years. We are proud of all that we have accomplished together and look forward to the next 100 years of friendship. Have fun and share a selfie with us using the #USAHungary100years #EgyesültÁlmok100 and #HUSA100 hashtags!
Details on the website and on Facebook
- Our Fourth of July greetings!
- Jazz Festival
Location: Kecskemet
Date: August 6 – 7, 2021
We celebrated the 100th anniversary of U.S.-Hungary diplomatic relations with some cultural programs this summer! American jazz artist Eddie Metz Jr. performed live in Kecskemet on August 6 and 7th at the Jazz Capital Festival, celebrating this uniquely American style of music and what this genre means to our relationship. https://jazzcapital.hu/
Highlights of the 100 Years
- Visits of U.S. Presidents to Hungary (official list)
— President George H.W. Bush Statue in Liberty Square (photos of the statue unveiling ceremony, and historic photos and videos of his visit in 1989) - Visits of Secretaries of State to Hungary (official list)
— Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo’s Visit to Hungary in 2019 - Visits of Hungarian leaders to the United States (official list)
- Hungary enters the Visa Waiver Program (2008)
- Opening of the International Law Enforcement Academy Budapest (ILEA Budapest) (1995)
- Establishment of the Hungarian American Fulbright Commission for Educational Exchange (1992)
- Return of the Holy Crown of St. Stephen (1978)
- Cardinal Mindszenty at the Chancery (1956-1971)
Establishment of Diplomatic Relations
The United States and Hungary signed a treaty establishing friendly relations on August 29, 1921. It entered into force on December 17.
The U.S. Legation was established in Budapest on December 26, 1921, with Commissioner Ulysses Grant-Smith as Chargé d’Affaires pro tempore. Grant-Smith presented his new credentials on January 24, 1922, and served until April 28.
Theodore Brentano was appointed as the first U.S. Minister to Hungary on February 10, 1922. He presented his credentials May 16, 1922 and served until May 6, 1927.
Count Laszlo Szechenyi presented his credentials as Hungary’s first Minister to the United States on January 11, 1922. He served until March 31, 1933.
U.S. Mission to Hungary
- Chiefs of Mission
- The Chancery Building
- The Historic Complex on Táncsics Mihály Street
- Carl Lutz
- Photo gallery
Official Documents
- United States and Hungary: Recognition, Diplomatic, and Consular Relations (Office of the Historian, U.S. Department of State)
- Foreign Relations of the United States Series (Office of the Historian, U.S. Department of State)
The Foreign Relations of the United States series presents the official documentary historical record of major U.S. foreign policy decisions and significant diplomatic activity. Volumes in the series since 1952 are organized chronologically according to Presidential administrations, and geographically and topically within each subseries. Volumes of recent administrations are available in downloadable, electronic format as well. - U.S. Relations With Hungary – Bilateral Relations Fact Sheet (Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, U.S. Department of State)
- Treaties in Force
Treaties in Force is prepared by the Department of State for the purpose of providing information on treaties and other international agreements to which the United States has become a party and which are carried on the records of the Department of State as being in force as of its stated publication date. Look for bilateral treaties with Hungary in Section 1 of the publication, which is arranged by country.
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Look for posts with hashtags #USAHungary100years #EgyesültÁlmok100 and #HUSA100
