General Knowledge
Guess the National Anthem Quiz
Patriotic melodies from around the globe — can you identify the anthem from the lyrics?
Patriotic melodies from around the globe — can you identify the anthem from the lyrics?
The Dutch 'Wilhelmus,' written between 1568 and 1572, is the world's oldest national anthem by melody. From that first patriotic tune to the modern era, national anthems have evolved into powerful symbols of identity, revolution, and unity. Some anthems have no lyrics at all, while others contain over 150 stanzas. This quiz covers 50 questions on anthem origins, famous lyrics, unusual facts, and the stories behind the world's most recognizable patriotic songs.
Each round presents 10 randomized questions from a pool of 50, with four multiple-choice options and instant feedback after every answer. Your final score comes with a performance tier and shareable results.
You'll discover which anthem is the oldest, which countries have anthems with no official lyrics, why South Africa's anthem is sung in five different languages, how wartime events inspired famous anthems like 'La Marseillaise' and 'The Star-Spangled Banner,' and plenty of surprising facts about the music that nations hold most dear.
The Netherlands' 'Wilhelmus' is considered the oldest national anthem by melody, written between 1568 and 1572 during the Dutch revolt against Spanish rule. Japan's 'Kimigayo' has the oldest lyrics, drawn from a 10th-century Heian-period poem, though the melody was composed much later in 1880.
Several countries have national anthems with no official lyrics. Spain's 'Marcha Real' is the most well-known example — it is one of only four national anthems in the world without words. Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, and San Marino also have instrumental-only anthems.
South Africa's national anthem is unique in using five of the country's eleven official languages: Xhosa, Zulu, Sesotho, Afrikaans, and English. Adopted in 1997 after the end of apartheid, it combines the hymn 'Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika' with the former apartheid-era anthem 'Die Stem' as a symbol of national reconciliation and unity.
Last updated: April 2026