| A national anthem in general, is a patriotic musical | | | | common then has continued to be used in almost |
| composition that is recognized formally by a country's | | | | every national anthem [ Even where western |
| government as their country's official national song. | | | | orchestral music was a foreign notion, like in nations |
| This idea of identy came about during the course of | | | | of Africa and Asia, the national anthem is still usually |
| the 19th and 20th centuries, with the rise of the | | | | in European style. Some countries have challenged |
| national states. It was at this time when most | | | | the dominance of dated orchestral music, like |
| countries adopted a national anthem, which often | | | | Australia for example. "Advance Australia Fair" has |
| times coexisted with other commonly sung patriotic | | | | been the national anthem of Australia since 1984, but |
| songs. For example, Although Canada's official national | | | | there is much support for the folk ballad "Waltzing |
| anthem is "Oh Canada", another widely recognized | | | | Matilda" as a national song. Some even considerate a |
| national song is "The Hockey Song", due to Canada's | | | | candidate for the national anthem. This is much like |
| strong history in the sport of hockey. | | | | the example I mentioned above with Canada and |
| Typically, anthems will try to acomplish the goal of | | | | "The Hockey Song" |
| reflecting the unity of a nation by galvanizing the | | | | National anthems have in the past and will continue in |
| history, traditions and struggles of its people within | | | | the future to be an important part of the history of |
| the song. In the nineteenth century as anthems first | | | | the countries of the world. |
| rose to prominence in Europe the style of music | | | | |