1947: Resolution of the federal anthem

Since the First Republic 1918–1933/34 had not known a national anthem that was recognised by all political camps, the federal government under Leopold Figl (1902–1965) decided to launch a competition for the composition of a “people’s anthem”: a jury subsequently decided in favour of the melody of the song Brüder reicht die Hand zum Bunde (“Brothers, give your hands for union”). The Masonic – and thus controversial – song was considered at the time to be a composition of Mozart – KV 623a. Today, the music is attributed to Johann Baptist Holtzer (1753–1818) or to the Moravian composer Pavel Vranický. In 1947, the text by Paula Preradović (1887–1951) was – with some changes – adopted by the Council of Ministers.

On January 1, 2012, a legal change towards gender equality was made to the text. Since then, the new lines are: Heimat großer Töchter und Söhne (“home of great daughters and sons”). In Carinthia, a Slovenian version can also be sung as an official translation. There are no corresponding versions for the other recognised minorities.

The Blue Danube from Johann Strauss Sohn (1825–1899) is still considered the unofficial Austrian anthem.