National Anthem of El Salvador

The National Anthem of El Salvador (Spanish: Himno Nacional de El Salvador) was adopted on 15 September 1879 and officially approved on 11 December 1953. The lyrics were written by General Juan José Cañas in 1856, with music composed by the Italian Juan Aberle in 1879.

The composition has been likened to "William Tell Overture" by critics.

History

1866 anthem

In 1866, at the initiative of doctor Francisco Dueñas, who at the time was President of the Republic, the first national anthem of El Salvador was created by Cuban doctor Tomás M. Muñoz, who wrote the lyrics, and Salvadoran musician Rafael Orozco, who composed the music. This national anthem was legally adopted through Executive Agreement of 8 October 1866, being published in the state newspaper El Constitucional No. 31, Volume 2, of 11 October 1866, to be officially released on 24 January 1867.

This anthem was sung until the overthrow of President Dueñas through a coup d'état in 1871.

1879 anthem

Later, in 1879, at the initiative of then president Rafael Zaldívar, the current National Anthem of El Salvador would be created by Cañas and Aberle as authors of its lyrics and music, respectively.

Through the Executive Agreement of 3 June 1891, published in the Official Gazette No. 128, Volume 30, of 3 June 1891, and General Carlos Ezeta being then president, it was legally adopted, at the initiative of Ezeta, as a new national anthem known under the official name of "El Salvador Libre", which was dedicated to the Salvadoran Armed Forces.