Hungarian hero of the American Revolution – a USA250 event
Event date: May 11, 2026The Kossuth Foundation, together with the Hungary Foundation – HF and the U.S. Department of State, hosted a special commemoration and reception honoring Colonel Michael Kováts — the Hungarian hero of the American Revolution and co-founder of the U.S. Cavalry — who gave his life for American independence on May 11, 1779, on the battlefield near Charleston, South Carolina.
We were honored to hear inspiring remarks from Gavin M. Wax, Chief of Staff to the Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs at the U.S. Department of State.
The evening brought together participants of the State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program, representatives of the U.S. and Hungarian Defense Forces, and members of local heritage and preservation societies in a joyful celebration of courage, freedom, and the enduring bonds between Hungary and the United States.
As America approaches its 250th anniversary, Michael Kováts’ story continues to remind us that the cause of liberty has always inspired people across nations and generations.
(Photos by Eszter Sütő and others)
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