Hungary Foundation

Help Build the First Equestrian Statue of a Hungarian in the United States

More than 250 years ago, a Hungarian cavalry officer crossed the Atlantic to fight for a cause that was not yet his own—the cause of American liberty.

Colonel Michael Kováts de Fabriczy gave his life for the United States during the American Revolution. Recruited by Benjamin Franklin and appointed by General George Washington, he became the founding commander of the Continental Army's cavalry under General Casimir Pulaski. His sacrifice at the Battle of Charleston on May 11, 1779, helped lay the foundation for what would become the United States Cavalry.

Yet despite his extraordinary contribution, Kováts remains largely unknown to most Americans.

Today, we have an opportunity to change that.

The Hungary Foundation, together with American and Hungarian partners, is leading an effort to erect a permanent bronze equestrian monument to Colonel Michael Kováts in Charleston's historic Marion Square, only steps from where he made his final sacrifice.

This will be far more than another memorial.

It will become the first equestrian statue in the United States honoring a Hungarian, standing in one of Charleston's most visited public spaces. With more than eight million visitors each year, the monument has the potential to become one of the most visible Hungarian landmarks anywhere in America.

More importantly, it will ensure that future generations learn an extraordinary story of friendship between two nations.

Long before Hungary and the United States became allies, a Hungarian officer believed that the American cause was worth fighting—and dying—for. His story reminds us that the ideals of liberty have always inspired people across borders.

A Growing Movement

This project is already bringing together supporters from both sides of the Atlantic.

More than 130 individuals from the United States and Hungary have already joined the campaign.

Donors contributing $250 or more will be permanently recognized on the project website as America250 Founding Supporters, honoring their role in making this monument possible.

If You Can't Give, You Can Still Make a Difference

Please share this campaign with your family, friends, local Hungarian organizations, historical societies, churches, veterans' groups, schools, and anyone who believes the story of America's founding should include all who sacrificed for liberty.

Together, we can ensure that Colonel Michael Kováts finally receives the recognition he earned more than two centuries ago.

Help us build a monument that will inspire millions of visitors—and remind future generations that the American story has always been enriched by those who came from around the world to defend the cause of freedom.

Join us in honoring Colonel Michael Kováts. Help make history.

To celebrate America 250, we are launching a fundraising campaign to honor Colonel Michael Kováts, a Hungarian hero of the American Revolution who helped found America’s cavalry tradition and gave his life for liberty in Charleston in 1779. 

His courage and sacrifice are a lasting bridge between Hungary and the United States, and I believe his legacy deserves a visible, lasting memorial where all can learn and remember.

We are raising support for a bronze equestrian statue to stand in Charleston, celebrating Kováts’s bravery and the shared ideals that bind our two nations. This monument will do more than mark a spot on a map. It will tell a story of transatlantic friendship, inspire new generations to learn about this remarkable life, and deepen ties between Hungary and America.

Creating a public work of art requires many hands and many hearts.

Your support will help fund the statue’s design, casting, placement so that visitors and residents can connect with Kováts’s story for years to come. Every contribution brings us closer to honoring his memory with the dignity it deserves.

All donors contributing $250 or more will be recognized as America250 Founding Supporters of the Michael Kováts Memorial and listed on the project website (www.MichaelKovats.com) unless they prefer to remain anonymous.

Please join us in making this vision a reality.

Donate today to support the bronze equestrian statue of Colonel Michael Kováts in Charleston and help ensure his sacrifice and the bond between our nations are remembered and celebrated.

The Hungary Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All contributions to the Michael Kováts Memorial Campaign are tax-deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law. Donors will receive an acknowledgment letter for tax purposes.

I am fundraising because, as a Hungarian living in the United States, I feel deeply grateful for everything this country has given me culturally, professionally, and personally. I want to give something back by honoring a remarkable Hungarian hero of the American Revolution, Colonel Michael Kováts, who helped establish America’s cavalry tradition and gave his life for the cause of liberty on the battlefield of Charleston in 1779.

The Hungary Foundation works to strengthen understanding and cooperation between Hungary and the United States. Supporting a bronze equestrian statue of Colonel Kováts in Charleston is a powerful way to celebrate shared history, educate the public about his contributions, and keep alive the spirit of international friendship that shaped the early United States. A statue will stand as a lasting tribute to bravery, service, and the bonds between our nations.

By contributing to this campaign you help ensure that Colonel Kováts is remembered where he fought and fell. Your support will help commission and place a dignified bronze monument that honors his leadership and the sacrifices of those who came from far away to fight for liberty. This is about more than a statue; it is about honoring a legacy that reminds us why cooperation and gratitude matter.

Please join me in supporting the Hungary Foundation in bringing this vision to life. Your donation will help make a meaningful, lasting tribute possible and strengthen the ties between Hungary and the United States for generations to come.

The American Hungarian Federation

https://americanhungarianfederation.org is proud to support the Hungary Foundation in honoring Colonel Michael Kováts, a Hungarian patriot who co-founded America’s cavalry and gave his life for liberty in Charleston in 1779. His courage and sacrifice stand as a profound link between Hungary and the United States, and we want his legacy visible and remembered where he fell. A bronze equestrian statue will create a lasting place of memory, education, and friendship for generations to come.

The Hungary Foundation’s mission to strengthen understanding and cooperation between our two nations makes this project about more than a monument. It is about telling a shared story of sacrifice and values, inspiring people to learn the true depth of our historical ties, and reminding us how brave individuals changed the course of history. This statue will be a meeting point for history, culture, and community, and it will honor the bravery of one man whose life bridged continents.

Your support will help bring this tribute to Charleston, ensuring Colonel Kováts is no longer a forgotten hero but a visible symbol of transatlantic friendship and commitment to liberty. Each contribution brings us closer to a public work of art that will educate visitors, strengthen cultural ties, and celebrate the ideals we share.

Please join us in supporting the Hungary Foundation to make this statue a reality. Donate to honor Michael Kováts, celebrate our shared history, and help keep the memory of his courage alive for future generations.

The American Hungarian Federation is proud to support the effort to build a permanent statue honoring Colonel Michael Kováts de Fabriczy, the Hungarian cavalry officer whose military service and sacrifice during the American Revolution helped establish the traditions of the United States Cavalry.

In furtherance of this effort, the AHF participated in the official S.C. 250 commemorations in Charleston, South Carolina. This included delivering a public speech on the life and military service of Colonel Michael Kováts during the December 14, 2025 Victory Day commemoration.

The delegation also visited the historic Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon, where a plaque commemorates Colonel Kováts, and The Citadel to view the Colonel Kováts Memorial, which was dedicated by the American Hungarian Federation in 1955.

I am raising funds to bring a lasting tribute to Colonel Michael Kováts, the Hungarian hero of the American Revolution, by helping build a bronze equestrian statue in Charleston.

Kováts helped found America’s cavalry tradition and gave his life for liberty on Charleston’s soil in 1779. As we approach the nation’s 250th anniversary, this monument is a chance to share his courageous story and the deep bonds between Hungary and the United States.

This project matters because monuments teach history and inspire future generations.

A dignified statue in a public place will ensure Kováts’ bravery and sacrifice are remembered, and it will celebrate the friendship and shared ideals between our two nations. The Hungary Foundation is leading this effort to strengthen understanding and cooperation between Hungary and the United States, and every contribution moves us closer to honoring a true patriot.

I am personally passionate about this because stories of courage deserve a visible place in our communities.

Your support will help fund design, casting, installation, and educational materials so visitors of all ages can learn about Kováts and the principles he defended. Whether you give a little or a lot, you become part of preserving a meaningful piece of history.

Please consider donating and sharing this campaign with friends and family.

Together we can bring this beautiful equestrian statue to Charleston and ensure Colonel Michael Kováts receives the recognition his legacy deserves.

The Hungarian American Coalition is proud to support the Hungary Foundation in honoring Colonel Michael Kováts during this historic America250 year! We named this project one of the Community Projects we would support at our recent USA250 at the Library of Congress. The Gala brought together 450 Hungarian Americans to celebrate the semiquincentennial and highlight Hungarian American heroes. Kováts was one of the first!

Kováts was a Hungarian hero who helped found America’s cavalry tradition and gave his life for liberty in Charleston in 1779. His bravery and sacrifice are part of a shared history between Hungary and the United States, and his memory deserves a lasting tribute that teaches future generations about courage, sacrifice, and partnership.

The Hungary Foundation is raising support for a bronze equestrian statue in Charleston to stand as a visible, enduring reminder of Kováts’ commitment to freedom and the bonds between our two nations.

Every gift helps bring this vision to life. By supporting this project, you join the Hungary Foundation in strengthening understanding and cooperation between Hungary and the United States.

Please help honor Colonel Michael Kováts and ensure his legacy stands tall in Charleston for future generations to learn from and celebrate.