1989: Hungary’s Peaceful Revolution
Archival photos plot nearly every historic moment of Hungary throwing off the shackles of Soviet control 35 years ago.

1
A communist red star is removed from a factory in Budapest in 1989.
This October 26, 1989, photo was taken three days after Hungary proclaimed itself a democracy after 40 years under Soviet-backed communist rule. The image is one of several that plot the momentous events that transformed Hungary 35 years ago.
This October 26, 1989, photo was taken three days after Hungary proclaimed itself a democracy after 40 years under Soviet-backed communist rule. The image is one of several that plot the momentous events that transformed Hungary 35 years ago.

2
Unemployed men wait for odd jobs in Budapest in 1988.
Despite being relatively free compared to other countries in the Eastern Bloc, by the late 1980s Hungary’s economy was withering. As much as 17 percent of the population was living in poverty according to World Bank estimates and suicide rates in the country were the highest in Europe.
Despite being relatively free compared to other countries in the Eastern Bloc, by the late 1980s Hungary’s economy was withering. As much as 17 percent of the population was living in poverty according to World Bank estimates and suicide rates in the country were the highest in Europe.

3
A demonstration is held in Budapest against the destruction of villages in Transylvania on June 27, 1988.
In June 1988, police in Budapest allowed tens of thousands of demonstrators to protest against plans in Romania to destroy thousands of villages in Transylvania, a largely ethnic Hungarian region. Romanian ruler Nicolae Ceausescu intended to resettle Transylvania's villagers into state-run “agro-industrial” centers.
In June 1988, police in Budapest allowed tens of thousands of demonstrators to protest against plans in Romania to destroy thousands of villages in Transylvania, a largely ethnic Hungarian region. Romanian ruler Nicolae Ceausescu intended to resettle Transylvania's villagers into state-run “agro-industrial” centers.

4
Hungarian crowds gather on the monument at the center of Budapest’s Heroes Square to protest Romania’s "rural systematization program."
The Transylvania protests awoke a long-dormant spirit of resistance in Hungary. A protestor later recalled, "Of course we went because we cared about the Hungarians in Transylvania, but mainly we went because we hated the communists."
The Transylvania protests awoke a long-dormant spirit of resistance in Hungary. A protestor later recalled, "Of course we went because we cared about the Hungarians in Transylvania, but mainly we went because we hated the communists."