O Canada: Canada's National Anthem

O Canada is the national anthem of Canada. It became the official national anthem in 1980, and it was originally written in French. For the citizenship test, remember its name, the year 1980, and how it differs from the royal anthem.

The official national anthem

O Canada is sung at ceremonies, public events, and sporting matches. It became the country's official national anthem in 1980, even though the song had existed for many years before. This is the anthem you might hear at your citizenship ceremony.

Originally written in French

O Canada was originally written in French, and English words followed later. This detail reflects the place of the country's two languages and sometimes appears in test questions. It links the anthem to the theme of official languages and bilingualism in Canada.

National anthem and royal anthem

Do not mix up the two. O Canada is the national anthem. God Save the King (or Queen, depending on the sovereign) is the royal anthem, and it is different from the national anthem. A test question may check this distinction.

What to remember for the test

Anthem questions are straightforward. Here are the points to lock in before the test.

• National anthem: O Canada
• Official national anthem since 1980
• Originally written in French
• Royal anthem: God Save the King (or Queen)

To connect the anthem to the other topics, see the guide Canada Explained. You can also review this theme in our chapter quizzes before moving on to the full test.

Frequently asked questions

What is Canada's national anthem? Canada's national anthem is O Canada. It became the official national anthem in 1980.

What language was O Canada originally written in? O Canada was originally written in French.

What is the difference between the national anthem and the royal anthem? O Canada is the national anthem. God Save the King (or Queen) is the royal anthem, which is different from the national anthem.