The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe officially announced the European Anthem on 19 January 1972 at Strasbourg: the prelude to "Ode to Joy", 4th movement of Ludwig van Beethoven's 9th symphony.
Euroopa Nõukogu Ministrite Komitee kuulutas Euroopa hümni ametlikult välja 19. jaanuaril 1972 Strasbourgis: "Ood rõõmule" eelmäng Beethoveni 9. sümfoonia 4. osast.