The usage of anthems increased among European countries during the 18th and 19th centuries ; the oldest national anthem is '' Het Wilhelmus '' , the Dutch national anthem , written between 1568 and 1572 .
The usage of anthems increased among European countries during the 18th and 19th centuries . 
 The oldest national anthem is '' Het Wilhelmus '' , the Dutch national anthem , written between 1568 and 1572 .