Diplomatic Relations

Hungary and the United States established formal diplomatic relations in 1922, though the bonds between the two nations trace back to the very founding of the American republic.

Historical Foundations

Colonel Michael Kováts de Fabriczy, a Hungarian nobleman, is considered one of the founders of the American cavalry and gave his life for American independence at the Battle of Charleston in 1779. A century later, Lajos Kossuth — leader of Hungary's 1848 independence movement — became only the second foreign national after Lafayette to address a joint session of Congress, in 1851. His bust stands in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda to this day.

Modern Partnership

Since Hungary's democratic transition in 1989–90, the U.S. has been a consistent partner in Hungary's Euro-Atlantic integration. Hungary joined NATO in 1999 and the European Union in 2004, cementing its place in the Western alliance. The two countries cooperate closely within NATO frameworks, on counter-terrorism, energy security, and democracy-building in the wider region.

For more information, please visit the Embassy of Hungary, Washington, DC.