La Marseillaise

La Marseillaise is the national anthem of France. A national anthem is an official song that represents a country. La Marseillaise was written in 1792, during the early years of the French Revolution. At that time, France was at war with other European countries. The song was meant to encourage soldiers and citizens.

The song was written by Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle, a French army officer. He wrote both the words and the music in the city of Strasbourg. The original title of the song was Chant de guerre pour l’Armée du Rhin, which means "War Song for the Army of the Rhine." The Rhine is a river near France’s eastern border.

La Marseillaise became popular after volunteers from the city of Marseille marched to Paris while singing it. Because of this, people began calling the song "La Marseillaise," which means "The Song of Marseille." The name remained even after the song spread across the country.

The lyrics of La Marseillaise talk about defending the nation and protecting freedom. The language is strong and reflects the danger and fear of war at that time. Some words describe enemies and fighting. These words come from the historical situation of the 1790s, when France faced many attacks.

In 1795, La Marseillaise was officially declared the national anthem of France. Later, it was sometimes banned or replaced during periods when kings or emperors ruled again. For example, it was not always allowed during the rule of Napoleon Bonaparte or the return of the monarchy. Each change in government affected whether the song could be used.

In 1879, La Marseillaise was restored as the national anthem. Since then, it has remained France’s official anthem. Today, it is sung at national events, sports games, and official ceremonies. It is also taught as part of French history and culture.