The first officially recognized national anthem in the world is considered to be “Wilhelmus”, the anthem of the Netherlands. Its text was written between 1568 and 1572 during the Dutch Revolution against Spanish rule. The verses were composed by Philip van Marnix van de St. Aldegond, who was a loyal associate of William of Orange, the leader of the struggle for Dutch independence. The music for the anthem was composed by Adrian Valerius and was based on a French soldier’s song that was popular at the time.
“Wilhelmus” became a symbol of the struggle for independence and national identity. It became an important part of Dutch social and political life, especially during periods of conflict and revolution. However, the anthem was not officially adopted as a national anthem until 1932, more than 350 years after its creation.
Another famous early national anthem is the British “God Save the King” (“God Save the King”). It was first sung in 1619, although it has no official status as a national anthem. Nevertheless, it is widely used at public and ceremonial events in Britain and other Commonwealth countries. Its lyrics have been changed many times, depending on who the monarch was, but the music for the anthem remains unchanged.
The French anthem “La Marseillaise”, written in 1792 by Claude Joseph Rouget de Lylles, became an important symbol of the French Revolution. It was adopted as the national anthem of France in 1795, becoming a reflection of the republican ideals of liberty, equality and fraternity. “La Marseillaise” quickly gained popularity in other countries, becoming a symbol of struggle and the fight for human rights.
Although these anthems began to be used at different times, they all became powerful symbols of the struggle for national identity and independence. They not only became instruments of national pride, but also reflected key moments in their countries’ history of political change and independence.
