National Anthems
La Marseillaise
Composed on this day April 25th, 1792 — 230 years ago
A brief history of one of the most rousing national anthems ever
On April 25th, 1792 the most iconic of national anthems was composed by Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle. La Marseillaise.
Legend has it that the mayor of Strasbourg (and worshipful master of the local Masonic lodge), Baron Philippe-Frédéric de Dietrich, held a dinner for the officers of the garrison, at which he lamented that France had no national anthem. Rouget de Lisle, a military officer and attendant of the soirée, returned to his quarters and wrote the words in a fit of patriotic excitement.
The purpose generally speaking of a National Anthem is to instill patriotic fervor, and nationalistic pride in its citizens, making them excited and enthusiastic about what essentially comes down to cannon fodder. Good national anthems possessed that ability — the patriotic excitement. To dive into wars without asking too many questions.
To a certain degree, I can even understand the feelings of pride for one’s cause & country swelling up, making one a willing pawn to fight for freedom. While it sounds lofty, swashbuckling, and adventurous, and the willingness to die for the cause, any cause, is an existential part of…
