A national anthem is a patriotic musical composition that represents a country and is often played during official events and ceremonies. These anthems typically express national pride, history, and values, and they are usually sung or played at public gatherings, sports events, and national holidays. Most national anthems have lyrics that reflect the culture and identity of the nation. For example, the United States has "The Star-Spangled Banner," while France is known for "La Marseillaise." National anthems serve to unite citizens and evoke feelings of loyalty and belonging to their country.