EN
This article follows up on a thorough review and analysis of Polish and German literature on the subject matter of national anthems. The aim of the author was to familiarize readers with the origins of national anthems of the major European countries, notably that of Germany. Throughout this paper, the main focus is the origins of the Deutschlandlied as well as other popular songs such as Heil Dir im Siegenkranz, Wacht Am Rhein , Horst-Wessel-Lied of the Nazi era and Auferstanden aus Ruinen, the national anthem of the German Democratic Republic.