12 janvier 1972

Le Conseil de l'Europe choisit l'Ode à la joie, 4e mouvement de la 9e symphonie de Beethoven, comme hymne européen. La Communauté européenne adopte la même oeuvre comme hymne européen en 1986.

  Sélection de documents provenant des archives du Conseil de l'Europe

22 janvier 1825

Note de Beethoven conférant des droits pour la 9ème symphonie (copie)

  Note de Beethoven [allemand et français]

26 August 1949

Letter from Jehane-Louis Gaudet (singing teacher in Lyons) to Paul-Henri Spaak (Chairman of the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe) proposing a song as the European Anthem, and enclosed dedication.

  Jehane-Louis Gaudet's letter [French only] (opens new window)

  Jehane-Louis Gaudet's dedication [French only] (opens new window)

7 September 1949

Paul-Henri Spaak's reply to Jehane-Louis Gaudet

  Paul-Henri Spaak's Reply to Jehane-Louis Gaudet [French only] (opens new window)

  14 October 1949

Letter from Carl Kahlfuss proposing music as the European Anthem

  Carl Kahlfuss's letter [German and French only] (opens new window)

26 July 1950

Second letter from Carl Kahlfuss about the European Anthem

  Carl Kahlfuss's second letter [French only] (opens new window)

14 October 1950

Third letter from Carl Kahlfuss about the European Anthem

  Carol Kahlfuss's third letter [French only] (opens new window)

25 September 1951

Letter from Hans Horben proposing music as the European Anthem

  Letter from Hans Horben [German only] (opens new window)

28 September 1951

Paul Levy's reply to Hans Horben

  Paul Levy's reply [French only] (opens new window)

3 August 1955

Letter from Richard Coudenhove-Kalergi proposing Ludwig van Beethoven's Ode to Joy as the European Anthem

  Richard Coudenhove-Kalergi's letter [French only] (opens new window)

More about Richard Coudenhove-Kalergi ...

5 September 1955

Paul Levy's reply  to Richard Coudenhove-Kalergi

  Paul Levy's letter [French only] (opens new window)

12 March 1962

Letter from Paul Levy to M. A. Molter regarding the European Anthem

  Paul Levy's letter [French only] (opens new window)

3 April 1962

Letter from Paul Levy to Mr van Aken regarding the European Anthem

  Paul Levy's letter [French only] (opens new window)

11 March 1971

Letter from Kjell T. Evers, President of the European Conference of Local Authorities - Plea for a European Anthem (contained in document AS/Loc(22)37)

  Kjell T. Evers' letter (opens new window)

30 April 1971

Item 4 of the report of the meeting of the Committee on Regional Planning and Local Authorities of the Consultative Assembly - Discussion regarding the European Anthem

  Item 4 of AS/Loc(22)PV10 (opens new window)

10 June 1971

Assembly report and draft resolution on a European Anthem

  Doc. 2978 (opens new window)

8 July 1971

Assembly Resolution proposing Ode to Joy as the European Anthem

  Assembly Resolution 492  (opens new window)

  24 July 1971

The Secretary General  asks the Austrian conductor Herbert von Karajan to write a musical arrangement

  Secretary General's letter [German only] (opens new window)

  12 August 1971

Reply to the Secretary General from Emil Jucker, on behalf of Herbert von Karajan

  Emil Jucker's letter [German only] (opens new window)

  22 November 1971

Letter from Kjell T. Evers, President of the European Conference of Local Authorities -
European Anthem to be launched on 5 May 1972

  Kjell T. Evers' letter (opens new window)

  12 January 1972

Committee of Ministers' Decision - the Ode to Joy is adopted as the European Anthem

  Committee of Ministers' decision (opens new window)

  25 January 1972

Memorandum from H. Leleu to the Secretary General regarding copyright

  Leleu's memorandum [French only] (opens new window)

  28 January 1972

Memorandum from Roland Muller, Deputy Director of Legal Affairs, to the Secretary General regarding copyright

  Roland Muller's memorandum [French only] (opens new window)

  18 February 1972

Letter from Emil Jucker on behalf of Herbert von Karajan, regarding copyright

  Emil Jucker's letter [German only] (opens new window)

  2 March 1972

Memorandum from Maud de Boer to the Secretary General regarding Herbert von Karajan and copyright issues

  de Boer's letter [French only] (opens new window)

  8 March 1972

Memorandum containing minutes of the Directors' meeting. Contains a discussion about copyright issues

  Memorandum [French only] (opens new window)

  7-15 March 1972

 The Ministers' Deputies ask the Secretariat to resolve copyright issues

  Committee of Ministers' decision (opens new window)

  11-19 April 1972

Meeting of the Ministers' Deputies - the Secretary General clarifies copyright questions

  25 January 1973

Parliamentary Assembly question and reply on the use of the Anthem

  Document AS/Loc(24)25 (opens new window)

  30 September 1974

Memorandum from H. Golsong, Head of Legal Affairs, to Head of Private Office concerning copyright issues and Rhodesia

  Memorandum from H. Golsong [French only]  (opens new window)

  30 January 1985

The Parliamentary Assembly proposes that a new anthem be found

  Parliamentary Assembly document 5353 (opens new window)

  1986

The Ministers' Deputies authorise the European Community to use the European Anthem

  Document CM/Del/Concl(86)393 - item 4 (opens new window)