The Hungarian Revolution was a nationwide uprising against the Soviet-controlled communist government of Hungary.

It was inspired by a wave of de-Stalinization in the Soviet bloc and protests in Poland.

The revolution began as a student demonstration in Budapest in October 1956.

The uprising spread quickly across the country, and the reformist communist leader Imre Nagy came to power.

Nagy's government promised major reforms, including free elections, the withdrawal of Soviet troops, and freedom of the press.

In a radical move, Nagy announced Hungary's withdrawal from the Warsaw Pact and its declaration of neutrality.

This was unacceptable to the Soviet Union, which launched a massive military invasion to crush the revolution in November 1956.

Hungarian 'Freedom Fighters' fought back against the Soviet tanks in the streets of Budapest.

The revolution was brutally suppressed, resulting in thousands of deaths and the flight of about 200,000 Hungarian refugees.

Imre Nagy and other leaders were executed, and the uprising demonstrated the limits of independence within the Soviet bloc.