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During the Middle Ages Debrecen developed out of several smaller villages and became a trading place for cattle and agricultural products. It obtained the freedom of the city in 1361. During the times of the Reformation, Debreces became a centre of Calvinism. Even during the occupation by the Turks, which began in 1555, the inhabitants were allowed to practice their faith. When the Habsburgs liberated Debrecen from the Turks in the 17th century they tried to introduce the Counter-Reformation but the majority of the population remained Protestant. During the revolution of 1848 Debrecen was the centre of the struggle for independence under Lajos Kossuth. During World War II Debrecen was the capital of the liberated parts of the country from December 1944 until March 1945.

The street shown on glass no.468 [left] is Kossuth utca. The street is named for Lajos Kossuth, the Hungarian politician and journalist (1802–1894) who was a central figure for the striving for indepence of Hungary from Austria in the 19th century.

The church shown in the background of glass no.468 [left] is the so-called red church. It is a rare example of a Reformed (Calvinist) church in Hungary with interior decorations.

The picture on glass no.1925 [right] shows the old railway station of Debrecen. The railroad from Budapest to Debrecen was completed in 1857.