The European Hymn is the hymn not only of the European Union but of Europe in a broader sense. The melody has been taken from the Ninth Symphony by Ludwig van Beethoven from 1823. In the last movement of this symphony Beethoven set music to the 'Ode to Joy' by Friedrich von Schiller from 1785. This poem sprang from Schiller's idealistic vision of men who become brothers – a vision Beethoven shared with him. In 1972 the Council of Europe adopted Beethoven's 'Ode to Joy' as its anthem. The well-kn...