The national flag was raised with military honors in front of parliament on Saturday to mark the March 15th national holiday.

The flag was raised and the National Anthem performed in the presence of President Tamás Sulyok and Speaker of the Parliament László Kövér.

Government members, representatives of state and military organizations and the diplomatic corps were also present.

The square was full of spectators wearing cockades in the national colors and some waved red-white-green flags.

A hussar procession to the Hungarian National Museum followed, where a ceremony began at 10.30am in the Museum's garden and Prime Minister Viktor Orbán gave a speech.

From 2pm to 6pm, families were invited to the museum to take part in national holiday programs. Also, the Dome Hall of Parliament and other areas of the building will be open to the public from 10am to 6pm.

March 15th marks the beginning of the 1848-49 revolution and war of independence, and was declared a public holiday in 1989.