National Anthem of El Salvador facts for kids

The National Anthem of El Salvador is the official song of El Salvador. The words were written by General Juan José Cañas in 1856. The music was created by the Italian composer Juan Aberle in 1879. This anthem became official on 15 September 1879. It was formally approved on 11 December 1953.

Some people say the music sounds a bit like the "William Tell Overture".

History of the Anthem

The First Anthem in 1866

In 1866, El Salvador had a different national anthem. The country's president, Francisco Dueñas, helped create it. A Cuban doctor named Tomás M. Muñoz wrote the words. A Salvadoran musician, Rafael Orozco, composed the music.

This first anthem was officially adopted on 8 October 1866. It was sung until 1871, when President Dueñas was removed from power.

The Current Anthem from 1879

Later, in 1879, the current National Anthem of El Salvador was created. President Rafael Zaldívar supported its creation. Juan José Cañas wrote the lyrics, and Juan Aberle composed the music.

On 3 June 1891, this anthem was officially adopted. It was known as "El Salvador Libre" and was dedicated to the Salvadoran Armed Forces. An Italian artist named Césare Georgi Vélez created its words and music.

However, General Carlos Ezeta was removed from power in 1894. After that, the anthem by Cañas and Aberle from 1879 was sung again. It didn't have official recognition at first. This changed on 13 November 1953. The Legislative Assembly of El Salvador officially recognized the anthem by Cañas and Aberle. It was first performed on 15 September 1879 at the old National Palace of El Salvador. Many important people attended this special event.

A newspaper from 1879 described the first performance: "The beautiful patriotic anthem, composed by Mr. Juan J. Cañas and Mr. Juan Aberle, was sung by all the young people from the colleges and schools in the capital. Mr. Cañas wrote the words, and Mr. Aberle composed the music. This anthem was first performed on 15 September with a military band and everyone loved it."

How the Anthem is Used

Radio and television stations in El Salvador must play the national anthem. They usually play it when they start their broadcasts in the morning and when they close down at night.

The Anthem's Words

Public school in El Salvador. Since 1992, the National Anthem of El Salvador is usually sung starting with the chorus and ending with the first verse.

The National Anthem of El Salvador has a chorus and three verses. However, the last two verses are not usually sung today. Singing the whole anthem would take more than four minutes!

In 1992, a law was passed that made this custom official. It said that the anthem should start with the chorus and end with the first verse. But often, only the chorus is sung and repeated. This is because the chorus is the strongest and most memorable part of the song.

Spanish Original and English Translation

The Anthem in Nawat

On 1 September 2009, the National Anthem was performed in the Nawat language. This happened during a special event in Suchitoto, Cuscatlán. A school choir from Izalco, Sonsonate, sang it. The name of the national anthem in Nawat is Takwikalis Tutal. This means "Song to Our Land."

Images for kids

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  Public school of El Salvador. In 1992, Legislative Decree 342 established that the public execution of the National Anthem of El Salvador must begin with the chorus and end with the first verse.

See also

In Spanish: Himno Nacional de El Salvador para niños