13 Martyrs of Arad
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The 13 Martyrs of Arad were the thirteen Hungarian rebel generals that were executed on 6 October 1849 in Arad, Romania, after the Hungarian War of Independence (1848 - 49) was quashed by Austrian troops, backed by Russia. At that time, Hungary was under the Austrian Habsburg empire. The execution was ordered by the Austrian general, Julius Freiherr von Haynau.
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[edit] Brief background
In a speech of surpassing power on March 3, 1848, shortly after the news of the revolution in Paris had arrived, Lajos Kossuth demanded parliamentary government for Hungary and constitutional government for the rest of Austria. [1] The declaration, however, added to the dissensions between him and those who wished only for autonomy under the old Hasburg dynasty, and his enemies did not scruple to accuse him of aiming for Kingship. [1] Revolution started on 15 March 1848. [2]
On April 13, 1849, the Hungarian Diet proclaimed Hungary a republic and appointed Kossuth as "regent-president". [3] For the time being, the future form of government was left undecided. Basing his ideas on the American Declaration of Independence, Kossuth declared independence on 19 April. [3] By May, the Hungarian secessionists had recaptured all of their country except Buda, which they won after a three-week bloody siege. Hungary came close to independence.
The hopes of ultimate success, however, were frustrated by the intervention of Russia. After all appeals to the western powers failed, Kossuth abdicated on August 11, 1849 in favor of Artúr Görgey, whom he thought was the only general who was capable of saving the nation. Görgey capitulated at Şiria to the Russians, who handed the army over to the Austrians. At the insistence of the Russians, Görgey was spared but reprisals were taken on the rest of the Hungarian army. Thirteen Hungarian generals were executed on October 6, 1849. On the same day, Count Lajos Batthyány (1806 – 1849), the first Hungarian prime minister, was also executed. [4] Kossuth steadfastly maintained until his death that Görgey alone was responsible for the humiliation, [1] calling him "Hungary's Judas". [5]
One of the public squares contains a martyrs' monument, erected in their memory. It consists of a colossal figure of Hungary, with four allegorical groups, and medallions of the executed generals. [6]
[edit] List of the 13 Marytrs
- Arisztid Dessewffy (1802 – 1849)
- Ernő Kiss (1799 – 1849)
- Ernő Poeltenberg (1814- 1849)
- György Lahner (1795 – 1849)
- Ignác Török (1795 – 1849)
- János Damjanich (1804 – 1849)
- József Nagy-Sándor (1804 - 1849)
- József Schweidel (1796- 1849)
- Károly Knezich (1808- 1849)
- Károly Leiningen-Westerburg (1819- 1849)
- Károly Vécsey (1807- 1849)
- Lajos Aulich (1793 – 1849)
- Vilmos Lázár (1815- 1849)
- Source: Group TIGblogs
[edit] Legend
Legend has it that during the execution, the Austrian soliers were drinking beer and tapping the glass celebrating the victory over the Hungarians. Since that time, Hungarians don't tap the glass when drinking beer. It is considered "dishonoring" the 13 Martyrs who shed their blood for the country.
