History

The Order was founded by the Hungarian People's Assembly to recognize the efforts of Hungarian civilians and military personnel, as well as foreigners, who had struggled and fought for the freedom of Hungary.

There are two main models of this Order.

The awards minted first were conferred from May 1946-1947. These medals feature the portrait of Lajos Kossuth, are not enamelled, and have the obverse inscription “MAGYAR SZABADSAGERT,” and the reverse inscription “1946.”

The awards minted second were conferred from 1947-1949. These medals have an enamelled green wreath surrounding the portrait of Lajos Kossuth on the obverse, and the inscription “MAGYAR SZABADSAGERT” was relocated to the reverse medallion.

The inscription "MAGYAR SZABADSAGERT" roughly translates to "For Hungarian Freedom."

The reverse of each medal should be numbered.

See the Hungarian Order of Freedom, HUN166, in the Titles & Orders of the Hungarian People's Republic (1949-1989) for more information.