Have you ever noticed how every country has a special song that makes people feel proud and connected? These songs are called national anthems, and they play a big role in bringing people together.National anthems are more than just music — they tell stories about a country’s history, culture, and values. They are played at important events like sports matches, national holidays, and ceremonies to remind people of their shared identity.Take India’s anthem, “Jana Gana Mana,” for example. Written by Rabindranath Tagore in 1911 and adopted in 1950, it celebrates the unity and diversity of India — from the snowy mountains to the sunny beaches, and all the many languages and cultures in between.Other countries have their own unique anthems with special stories too. The Netherlands has one of the oldest anthems, “Wilhelmus,” from the 1500s, written during a fight for freedom. The UK’s anthem, “God Save the King” (or Queen), dates back to the 1700s and inspired many others. The US anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner,” was written in 1814 during a battle and shows courage and hope.National anthems can be fast and exciting or slow and calm, but their purpose is always the same: to unite people and celebrate their country. When people sing together, they feel a strong sense of belonging and pride. Longest anthemGreece’s national anthem has a whopping 158 verses! Usually, only the first two are sung. Imagine singing that whole song!Shortest anthemJapan’s anthem, “Kimigayo,” is one of the shortest in the world — it has only five lines and takes less than a minute to sing.Silent anthemSpain’s national anthem, “Marcha Real,” has no official lyrics. People just play the music and sing along quietly or not at all!Oldest anthemThe Dutch anthem, “Wilhelmus,” dates back to the 1500s, making it one of the oldest national anthems still in use today.Anthems in spaceThe US anthem “The Star-Spangled Banner” was the first song played in space, during the Apollo 11 moon landing in 1969!
