Around the World

World Travels with Ron Brown: A Year in Budapest: On the Banks of the Blue Danube

The Romans founded Budapest and named it Aquincum as an outpost to keep the barbarian tribes out of the empire. Suddenly out of the depths of Siberia stormed a tribe called the Magyars and by the middle of the 9th century had defeated the Roman Empire and seized control of the vast Danube River valley. In the middle of this fertile valley the Magyars built the cities of Buda and Pest which eventually merged to become one of the greatest cities of the world – Budapest. Against all odds the Magyars defended their culture, language, and identity against Romans, Germans, Slavs, Turks, and today Americans. No nation is more proud of its capital city than the Hungarians. Dr. Brown spent a year from September. 9, 1991 to June 1992 teaching in this wonderful city. Who could know it better than him?