By the 1970s, the East German anthem's call for a "united fatherland" became politically awkward as German division solidified. Rather than rewrite the song, the government simply discouraged citizens from singing the words, leading to official ceremonies where only the music was played.

In March 1831, widespread unrest in Rio de Janeiro culminated in an event known as the "Night of Bottles." This unusually long five-day riot, characterized by protesters throwing bottles, eroded the emperor's authority and forced him to abdicate.

The lack of a unified national narrative creates profound societal division. America is fractured by two irreconcilable stories: one of colonialist oppression and another of unprecedented prosperity, making a shared identity and collective action impossible.

Lacking an official anthem after WWII, West Germany sometimes played a popular Cologne carnival song at public events. This caused international embarrassment, notably when Belgian soldiers saluted the tune, prompting Chancellor Adenauer to push for the return of the traditional anthem.

Abolitionists repurposed the popular tune of "The Star-Spangled Banner" for their own cause. In 1844, the newspaper "The Liberator" published lyrics highlighting the hypocrisy of a nation that condoned slavery, asking "O say, do you hear... the shrieks of those bondsmen?" while a banner with "stars mocking freedom is fitfully gleaming."

The concept of a national anthem as an "audible national symbol" was pioneered by Britain. After the Napoleonic Wars, the tune of "God Save the King" was so influential that around 20 other countries, from Prussia to Hawaii, adopted its melody for their own anthems.

During the 1980s military dictatorship, which mandated a rigid orchestration for the national anthem, singer Fafá de Belém broke the law at mass pro-democracy rallies. Her slow, mournful, and dramatic performances became an emblematic sound of the protest movement.

In a rare display of monarchical creativity, Dom Pedro I, the first emperor of Brazil, personally composed the music for the new nation's "Hymn of Independence." While likely aided by court musicians, historians credit him with the composition.

The Brazilian national anthem has been co-opted by opposing political movements. In the 1990s, poor rural workers sang it to prevent police violence during protests. Decades later, supporters of right-wing president Jair Bolsonaro sang it during MAGA-style uprisings.