20.08.2025 / Happy National Day, Hungary
On August 20, Hungary celebrates its National Day, honoring Saint Stephen I of Hungary (Szent István), who founded the Hungarian state in the year 1000.
Saint Stephen played a key role in uniting various tribes into a single Christian kingdom in Central Europe. He established Christianity as the state religion, which played a major role in shaping Hungary’s culture and identity.
Saint Stephen is the patron saint of Hungary, and the largest church in Budapest, located in the heart of the capital, bears his name.
August 20 is an important day for Hungarians also because it is traditionally associated with the end of the harvest season, and bread is therefore blessed. It is customary to serve warm bread on the table, often wrapped with a ribbon in the colors of the Hungarian flag.
A highlight of the celebration is the fireworks display, which every year on August 20 illuminates the sky over the Danube by the Hungarian Parliament in Budapest.
