This article is about the anthems of nation states. For anthems of other territories, including constituent countries, see List of regional anthems.
Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle, the composer of the French national anthem "La Marseillaise", sings it for the first time. The anthem is one of the earliest to be adopted by a modern state, in 1795.
Most nation states have an anthem, defined as "a song, as of praise, devotion, or patriotism";[1] most anthems are either marches or hymns in style. A song or hymn can become a national anthem under the state's constitution, by a law enacted by its legislature, or simply by tradition.[2] A royal anthem is a patriotic song similar to a national anthem, but it specifically praises or prays for a monarch or royal dynasty. Such anthems are usually performed at public appearances by the monarch or during other events of royal importance.[3] Some states use their royal anthem as the national anthem, such as the state anthem of Jordan.
There are multiple claimants to the position of oldest national anthem.[4] Among the national anthems, the first to be composed was the Dutch national anthem, the "Wilhelmus", which was written between 1568 and 1572.[5] This has both Dutch and English language versions and is unusual in being an acrostic in both languages. The Japanese anthem, "Kimigayo", employs the oldest lyrics of any national anthem, taking its words from the "Kokin Wakashū", which was first published in 905, yet these words were not set to music until 1880.[6] The first anthem to be officially adopted as such was the Spanish anthem "La Marcha Real", in 1770; its origins remain unclear; it is suggested that it has 16th century Venetian origins, or even that it was composed by king Frederick the Great himself; it is also one of the few national anthems that has never had official lyrics.[7] Anthems became increasingly popular among European states in the 18th century.[8] For example, the British national anthem "God Save the King" was first performed in 1745.[9] The French anthem "La Marseillaise" was written half a century later in 1792, and adopted in 1795.[10]
National anthems are usually written in the most common language of the state, whether de facto or official. States with multiple national languages may offer several versions of their anthem. For instance, Switzerland's national anthem has different lyrics for each of the country's four official languages: French, German, Italian, and Romansh.[11] One of New Zealand's two national anthems is commonly sung with the first verse in Māori ("Aotearoa") and the second in English ("God Defend New Zealand"). The tune is the same but the lyrics have different meanings. South Africa's national anthem is unique in that it is two different songs put together with five of the country's eleven official languages being used, in which each language comprises a stanza.[12]
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Partially recognized states
See also
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Further reading
External links
^"Anthem". Reference.com. Lexico Publishing Group. Retrieved 26 June 2008.
links Listof former nationalanthemsListof regional anthemsAnthemsof the autonomous communities of Spain Listof U.S. state songs Anthemsof the Soviet...
Below is a listof various nationalanthems which, at some point in time, were the de jure or de facto anthemsof various contemporary or historical states...
as nationalanthems even though they are not sovereign states. In the early modern period, some European monarchies adopted royal anthems. Some of these...
is a listofnational and regional anthems used in the United Kingdom, crown dependencies and British overseas territories. Nationalanthemof the United...
Afghanistan has had a number of different nationalanthems throughout its history. Afghanistan's first nationalanthem was adopted during its period as...
anthems ListofnationalanthemsNationalanthem Personal anthem Regional anthems by country Listof British anthems Regional anthemsof Finland Listof Indian...
song to be the next anthemof Imperial Russia. The song resembled a hymn, and its musical style was similar to that of other anthems used by European monarchs...
Campaña. Canada portal Music portal Anthems and nationalistic songs of Canada Honours music Listofnationalanthems Music of Canada See Help:IPA/French, Canadian...
The U.S. nationalanthem "The Star-Spangled Banner" has been performed at all but one Super Bowl since its first year in 1967; Vikki Carr sang "America...
An anthem is a musical composition of celebration, usually used as a symbol for a distinct group, particularly the nationalanthemsof countries. Originally...
The NationalAnthemof Zimbabwe, also known by its incipit in Shona, "Simudzai Mureza wedu WeZimbabwe" (English: "Raise our flag of Zimbabwe"), and the...
theme) "Song and Two Anthems". The Sydney Morning Herald. 30 November 1943. Retrieved 1 August 2016. "Australian NationalAnthem". Prime Minister and...
invigorating, that's why it really is the greatest nationalanthem in the world, ever. Most nationalanthems are pompous, brassy, ceremonious, but this is...
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exclusive state anthem as other anthems were also used at the time. In 1922, the Ukrainian SSR signed the Treaty on the Creation of the USSR with the...
Tsendiin Damdinsüren. Since the early 20th century, Mongolia has had two nationalanthems: the first, used between 1924 and 1950, was called the "Mongol Internationale"...
Nepal's nationalanthem third in its listof Rio 2016: The most amazing nationalanthems, citing its musical differences compared to other anthems. The following...
female) is the nationalanthemof the United Kingdom and the royal anthemof each of the British Crown Dependencies, one of two nationalanthemsof New Zealand...
Transvaalse Volkslied. Nationalanthemof South Africa Die Stem van Suid-Afrika Nationalanthemof the Orange Free State Listofnationalanthems "Flatinternational...
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