National Anthems Trivia

1. What does the word "Hatikvah", the name of Israel's national anthem, translate to in English?

From Quiz Nefesh Yehudi Homiyah

Answer: The Hope

The literal translation of the Hebrew word "Hatikvah" is "the hope". The title can be interpreted as a reference to the many times in history when the Jewish people have maintained hope, despite facing frequent discrimination, persecution, and exile. The anthem embodies the struggle that the Jewish people had to face as well as the hope to return to their homeland and live there freely.

From Quiz I'm the Leader of the Gang

Answer: Colombia

Colombia's national anthem is indeed called "O gloria inmarcesible". It comes from a poem written by one of Colombia's former presidents, Rafael Núñez. It is played on the radio and television everyday at 6:00 am and 6:00 pm in Colombia (by law). The chorus is as follows: "iOh, gloria inmarcesible! iOh, júbilo inmortal! En surcos de dolores, el bien germina ya, el bien germina ya. "Oh, unfading glory! Oh, immortal joy! From the furrows of pain, come the seedlings of good, come the seedlings of good." In a comical note, Shakira actually made a couple of mistakes singing the lyrics of the Colombian national anthem when US President Barak Obama was visiting the country for a summit meeting in April 2012, thereby joining the ranks of Christina Aguilera (who flubbed the lyrics to the US National Anthem at the 2011 Super Bowl) and Cyndi Lauper (who made her own flubs later that year at the US Open). Shakira sang "El surco de dolores" (literally, "The furrow of pain" instead of "En surcos de dolores" (literally, "In furrows of pain", rendered here "From the furrows of pain..." because of what follows), and "La libertad de sublibe" "literally, the freedom of ???"" instead of "La libertad sublime" (literally, "Sublime freedom"). I say, this could happen to anyone, and already has happened to many!

From Quiz National Anthems of the World

Answer: Barbados

The title of the national anthem of Barbados is "In Plenty and In Time of Need" and was written by Irvin Bergie, music by C. Van Roland Edwards. "In plenty and in time of need When this fair land was young Our brave forefathers sowed the seed From which our pride has sprung A pride that makes no wanton boast Of what it has withstood That binds our hearts from coast to coast The pride of nationhood (Chorus) We loyal sons and daughters all Do hereby make it known These fields and hills beyond recall Are now our very own We write our names on history's page With expectations great Strict guardians of our heritage Firm craftsmen of our fate The Lord has been the people's guide For past three hundred years. With Him still on the people's side We have no doubts or fears. Upward and onward we shall go, Inspired, exulting, free, And greater will our nation grow In strength and unity."

From Quiz National Anthems of South America

Answer: Bolivian

The Bolivian national anthem is entitled "Himno Nacional". It is an interesting and thought provoking national anthem which provides citizens with a feeling of hope and freedom: "Freedom! Freedom! Freedom!". http://www.geocities.com/olusegunyayi/bolivia.html

From Quiz Know your National Anthems

Answer: La Marseillaise

'La Marseillaise', written by Claude-Joseph Rouget de Lisle during the French Revolution, was officially accepted as the French national anthem on July 14, 1795. Over the next century it was banned by Napoleon and by Louis XVIII, because of its revolutionary associations. In 1897 'La Marseillaise' was reinstated. 'La Brabançonne' is the Belgian national anthem, whereas 'L'Hymne à l'Amour' is a song by Edith Piaf. 'La Strasbourgeoise' was an alternative name for the French anthem in the early days of its existence.

From Quiz Anthems from Around the World

Answer: Argentina

Argentina's national anthem is titled "Himno Nacional Argentino". Lyrics were written by Vincente López y Planes in 1813, music by José Blas Parera. The capital of Argentina is Buenos Aires. It is located in the south of South America, and is bordered by Bolivia and Paraguay to the north, Brazil to the northeast, Chile to the west, and Uruguay and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Approximately 93% of the population is Roman Catholic, 2% Protestant and another 2% Jewish.

From Quiz European National Anthems

Answer: Bulgaria

This song was written in 1885 and adopted as the national anthem in 1964. The Pirin Mountains are in the south-west corner of Bulgaria.

From Quiz Some Unusual National Anthems

Answer: People's Republic of China

Ironically, the title of the national anthem of Taiwan is "Chinese National Anthem"!

From Quiz I'm the Leader of the Gang

Answer: Mexico

Mexico is the only Latin American country that shares a long land border with the USA. Though Canada shares a long border with the US, and the Anthm mentions "Canada", it does not mention the "Canadians". Also, Canada is not a Latin country. The other two countries mentioned are Latin American countries, but they do not share any land border at all the USA. The chorus of the Mexican national anthem is: "Mexicanos, al grito de guerra el acero aprestad y el bridón. Y retiemble en sus centros la Tierra, al sonoro rugir del cañón. Y retiemble en sus centros la Tierra, al sonoro rugir del cañón!" "Mexicans, at the battle cry, prepare your steel (blade) and bridle. And let the very center of the Earth tremble with the resounding roar of the cannon! And let the very center of the Earth tremble with the resounding roar of the cannon!" The Mexican national anthem was originally included in one of the scenes of the Robin Williams movie "Jumanji", but it had to be removed because it turns out that it is illegal to play the Mexican national anthem for commercial or comedic purposes.

From Quiz Advance Australia Fair

Answer: Scotland

Peter Dodds McCormick was born in Scotland around 1834 and arrived in Sydney at the age of 21. He became a school teacher and taught at schools around Sydney.

From Quiz National Anthems of South America

Answer: Guyana

The national anthem of Guyana was selected just one month before this nations independence in 1966. The title of this anthem is "Dear Land of Guyana, of Rivers and Plains" and was written by Archibald Leonard Luker.

From Quiz Anthems from Around the World

Answer: Papua New Guinea

The capital of Papua New Guinea is Port Moresby. Its main exports include cocoa, coffee, gold, palm oil and timber. Papua New Guinea gained full independance from Australia on September 16, 1975. The national anthem was written by Thomas Shacklady and was adopted in 1975.

From Quiz European National Anthems

Answer: Austria

The title of this anthem is "Land of Mountains, Land of Rivers" ("Land der Berge, Land der Flüsse").

From Quiz Some Unusual National Anthems

Answer: San Marino

San Marino is indeed the world's oldest republic!

From Quiz I'm the Leader of the Gang

Answer: Brazilian & Brazil

Brazil is the only country in the Americas with Portuguese as its official language. The national anthem of Brazil is another poem set to music, with the following chorus: "Terra adorada, Entre outras mil, És tu, Brasil, Ó Pátria amada!" "Adored land, Above a thousand others, It is you, Brazil, Oh beloved Homeland!" The actual name of the Brazilian national anthem is "Hino à bandeira brasileira" (literally, "Hymn to the Brazilian Flag"). One of the most touching renderings of the Brazilian National Anthem that I've witnessed was when Pan American Games Gold-medal winner Juliana Silva (for women's beach volleyball) sang the anthem with her eyes closed and her hand on her heart in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico in October 2011.

From Quiz National Anthems of the World

Answer: Egypt

"Bilady, Bilady, Bilady" ("My country, my country, my country") is the national anthem of Egypt. The tune was written by Sayed Darwish. The chorus was suggested by a speech given by an early Egyptian leader, Mustafa Kamel. It officially became Egypt's anthem in 1979. "My country, my country, my country. You have my love and my heart. My country, my country, my country, You have my love and my heart. Egypt! O mother of all lands, My hope and my ambition, And on all people Your Nile has countless graces My country, my country, my country, My love and my heart are for thee. My country, my country, my country, My love and my heart are for thee. Egypt! Most precious jewel, Shining on the brow of eternity! O my homeland, be for ever free, Safe from every foe! My homeland, my homeland, my homeland, My love and my heart are for thee. My homeland, my homeland, my homeland, My love and my heart are for thee. Egypt! Noble are thy children, Loyal, and guardians of the reins. It will attain high aspirations With their unity and with mine. My homeland, my homeland, my homeland, My love and my heart are for thee. My homeland, my homeland, my homeland, My love and my heart are for thee. Egypt, land of bounties You ruled with ancient glory My purpose is to repel the enemy And on God I rely My homeland, my homeland, my homeland, My love and my heart are for thee."

From Quiz National Anthems of South America

Answer: Paraguay

The Paraguayan national anthem was written by Francisco Acuna de Figueroa. Figueroa has also been credited with writing the national anthem of Uruguay "Orientales, la Patria o la tumba", which has a duration time of 5 minutes.

From Quiz Know your National Anthems

Answer: Spain

Although lyrics were written for Spain's 'Marcha Real' over the years, the official version remains without words. Among other countries that have textless national anthems are San Marino and Mauritania.

From Quiz European National Anthems

Answer: Norway

It was adopted as the national anthem in 1864. In that year the 50th anniversary of the Norwegian constitution was celebrated.

From Quiz Some Unusual National Anthems

Answer: The Netherlands

From Quiz National Anthems of the World

Answer: Kenya

"O God of all creation Bless this our land and nation Justice be our shield and defender May we dwell in unity Peace and liberty Plenty be found within our borders. Let one and all arise With hearts both strong and true Service be our earnest endeavor And our homeland of Kenya Heritage of splendor Firm may we stand to defend. Let all with one accord In common bond united Build this our nation together And the glory of Kenya The fruit of our labor Fill every heart with thanksgiving."

From Quiz Advance Australia Fair

Answer: 4

There were four verses originally written by McCormick. The first verse is known by most Australians. The second verse which we know today is actually a modified version of the original third verse. When the song was adopted as an anthem in 1984, the song was modified to two verses. There is also an extra verse that has an overly Christian tone, but this was not written by McCormick.

From Quiz National Anthems of South America

Answer: Chilean

The Chilean national anthem is known by most people as "Himno Nacional de Chile" or the "National Anthem of Chile". There is a second name for this national anthem however in many parts of Chile - "Cancion Nacional" that directly translates to "National Song".

From Quiz Anthems from Around the World

Answer: Singapore

Words and music by Zubir Said, this anthem was adopted in 1959. Singapore can be found just south of the Malay Peninsula in South East Asia. Chinese account for about 78% of the population, Malays about 14% and Indians 7%. Their official languages are English, Chinese, Tamil and Malay, and their major exports are rubber, machinery, petroleum products and electric and electronic equipment.

From Quiz European National Anthems

Answer: Ireland

This anthem is called "The Soldier's Song". The lyrics exist in English and Gaelic, which are Ireland's two official languages.

From Quiz Some Unusual National Anthems

Answer: Bangladesh

Rabindranath Tagore was a Bengali who won the Noble Prize for Literature. After the partition of India and Pakistan in 1947, "Thou rulest the minds of all people" was adopted by India as its national anthem. After liberation from Pakistan in 1971, Bangladesh adopted "My Golden Bengal" as its national anthem .

From Quiz Advance Australia Fair

Answer: girt

Girt is the past tense of gird; a word that means surrounded. It is used in the line 'Our home is girt by sea'. Apart from in the national anthem, I have never seen it used anywhere else. In 2001, the then Labour opposition leader Kim Beazley, had this to say when asked about the relevancy of the national anthem, "I stand up on behalf of girt. Girt by sea needs to be celebrated".

From Quiz National Anthems of South America

Answer: Ecuadorian

"Salve, Oh Patria" or "We Salute You, Our Homeland" is the official national anthem of Ecuador. The author of this national anthem, Juan Leon Mera, once served as the president of the Ecuadorian Senate. This national anthem was officially adopted in 1886.

From Quiz Anthems from Around the World

Answer: Japan

The words of this anthem come from the poetry collection known as "Kokinshu", dating from around the 9th century. The music was written by Hiromori Hayashi was adopted in 1893. The title is "Kimigayo" which means "The Reign of Our Emporer". Japan consists of four major islands: Hokkaido, Honshu, Kyushu, and Shikoku, and also many smaller islands. Major exports include electric and electronic equipment, automobiles, iron, steel and textiles.

From Quiz European National Anthems

Answer: Czech Republic

In 1919 it became the national anthem of Czechoslovakia, which was founded in 1918. At that time the anthem consisted of a Czech and a Slovak section. After Czechoslovakia split into two countries in 1993 (Czech Republic and Slovakia), each country kept its section as its national anthem.

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Last Updated Apr 13 2024 5:46 AM

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