Europe
"Ode to Joy"

Music by: Ludwig von Beethoven, arranged by Herbert von Karajan
Adopted: 1972

The European Union is a supranational organization for most of the nations in Europe, and unification on many levels have been achieved, such as a common currency. The European Union also has an official anthem, for use at official European Union events. The anthem is adapted from the final movement of Ludwig von Beethoven's "Ode to Joy", from his Ninth Symphony, the arrangement by Herbert von Karajan is the official arrangement. While Beethoven's work has German words by Friedrich Schiller, as the European anthem no lyrics are used officially, rather the anthem is in the "international language of music." (I have, however, recieved reports that it has been performed with words on important European Union events, such as the addition of new member states. The words are translated into the member's official language for use there). Despite protests from musicians for using Beethoven's work in this manner, the anthem was adopted by the European Union in 1972, and has been in use since 1986.