Republic of Hungary

"Himnusz" – the song beginning with the words Isten, áldd meg a magyart listen (help·info) (God, bless the Hungarians) – is the official national anthem of Hungary. It was adopted in 1844 and the first stanza is sung at official ceremonies. The words were written by Ferenc Kölcsey, a nationally renowned poet in 1823, and the now-official music was composed by romantic composer Ferenc Erkel, although other less-known musical versions exist. The poem had the subtitle "A magyar nép zivataros századaiból" ("From the rough centuries of the Hungarian people"); it is often argued that this subtitle was only added so that the poem passes Habsburg censorship, by emphasizing past rather than present national grievances.
more information on Himnusz

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Hungary was part of the polyglot Austro-Hungarian Empire, which collapsed during World War I. The country fell under Communist rule following World War II. In 1956, a revolt and an announced withdrawal from the Warsaw Pact were met with a massive military intervention by Moscow. Under the leadership of Janos KADAR in 1968, Hungary began liberalizing its economy, introducing so-called "Goulash Communism." Hungary held its first multiparty elections in 1990 and initiated a free market economy. It joined NATO in 1999 and the EU in 2004.