Many countries have a special and unique national holiday. In Canada, where I live, Canada Day is celebrated on July 1 every year. Across the border, in the United States, the special day is Independence Day (July 4). These are the days when national anthems are sung with more feeling and when residents stop to consider their country’s past.

Music usually influences these celebrations in some way. This is very fitting: after all, what is more celebratory of a country’s past and future than a national anthem?
Around the world with patriotic and folk music

Worldwide

• National Anthems of the World
  Listen to dozens of national anthems in MIDI format, and check out flags too.
• National Anthems: Wikipedia
  Article about national anthems with links to further information.
  

Australia

• Australian Folk Songs
  Many songs represented.

Britain

• British Imperialistic Anthems
  Background, words, and audio files for several patriotic British songs (including God Save the Queen/ King)
• Coronation Anthems
  The Classical Music Archives has several MIDI files of Handel’s Coronation Anthems, composed for the coronation of King George II. They are about halfway down the “Handel” page.
• Folk Music of England
  Songs that were popular in England. MIDI files and lyrics.
• Folk Music of Scotland
  MIDI files and lyrics.
• Folk Music of Wales
  MIDI files and lyrics.

Canada

• National Anthem
  Everything you want to know about the Canadian national anthem.
• Patriotic Songs
  Background, lyrics and first page of a selection of Canadian patriotic songs.
  

Costa Rica

• National Anthem
  English and Spanish words, background, and a wav file.

France

• Le Marseillaise
  Entire site devoted to the French national anthem.

Ireland

• Folk Music of Ireland
  Lyrics and MIDI files.

Israel

• HaTikvah
  Lyrics, numerous sound files, and information on the Israeli national anthem.

Japan

• Japanese National Anthem
  All about the Japanese national anthem as well as what the words mean.
  

Lebanon

• Lebanon National Anthem and Flag
  Lebanese and English translation of the words, as well as audio.
  

Russia

• Russian Folk Songs
  Plenty of Russian folk songs with RealAudio sound files.
  

South Africa

• National Anthem
  Background (including about the composer), lyrics, and audio.

United States of America

• Patriotic MIDI Music
  Over 25 MIDI files of various American patriotic songs.
• Popular Music in American History
  Lyrics and MIDI files.

1) Amadeus
A great movie based on a great play. This one won 8 Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Just don’t accept the events in the film as gospel truth. While the plot is based on history, it is entertainment, not biography.

2) The Red Violin
A movie where the biggest character is a violin. Wonderfully written, with an award-winning score by John Corigliano.

3) Mr. Holland’s Opus
A perfect film for anyone with a soft spot for a former music teacher.

4) Playing for Time
This film was an award-winning T.V. miniseries starring Vanessa Redgrave. It chronicles the true story of the prisoner’s orchestra at Auschwitz, led by Alma Rose (a concert violinist and niece of Gustav Mahler).

5) Shine
Geoffrey Rush won the Best Actor Oscar for this portrayal of Australian concert pianist David Helfgott and his lifetime struggles, including with mental illness.

6) Hilary and Jackie
A critically acclaimed film portraying the troubled concert cellist Jacqueline du Pré and her sister.

7) Immortal Beloved
Another film centered around a composer, starring Gary Oldman. The film examines the possible identity of the mysterious “Immortal Beloved” of Beethoven.

Pretty Woman
It isn’t exactly a music film, but is worth the mention because of the scenes at the opera and the final sequence.

9) Joan the Woman
Most classical lovers will recognize the name Geraldine Farrar as one of the leading sopranos from the beginning of the 20th century. What you may not know is that she also collaborated with director Cecil B. DeMille on silent films. Here is one which was well received, with Farrar as Joan of Arc.

10) Yes, Giorgio
Luciano Pavarotti isn’t exactly known for his acting, but he also sings in this movie.