Sándor Petőfi (1823–1849), a Hungarian poet of European renown, ideological leader of Budapest's youth, participant in the Hungarian uprising, author of poems calling for social change and independence (including In the Name of the People, National Song, Battle Song), as well as love and landscape lyrics, poems, and novels.
On March 15, 1848, Petőfi and his supporters published a manifesto demanding, above all, the abolition of censorship, the establishment of an independent Hungarian government, equality before the law for all citizens, and the abolition of serfdom. This marked the beginning of the Hungarian uprising. Petőfi was involved in it both as a poet and a soldier. His song “Arise, Hungarians, your homeland is calling you!” awakened the patriotic spirit among Hungarians. He himself died as an aide to General Józef Bem in the battle of Segesvár.
In 1948, his image and name were featured on a medal awarded on the occasion of the centenary of the uprising by the communist authorities of the Hungarian Republic, called the Medal of Honor of the 48th (Hungarian: 48-as Diszérem). It was awarded exclusively to persons working in the police or armed forces for achieving significant results in the so-called “democratic consciousness.”
source: wikipedia.org
