Kimigayo

Historical eventNovember 31880

Kimigayo

The current melody of Kimigayo, the national anthem of Japan, was adopted.

Everything on November 3Original source

In context

When
Wednesday, November 3 1880146 years ago
Category
Historical eventA dated happening — a battle, treaty, launch, discovery, disaster or decision — recorded on this calendar day.
Era
19th century · 1880s
Recorded from
Wikipedia “On this day” feed

Russia, Greece and some other countries used the Julian calendar into the early 20th century, so local records may show a date up to 13 days earlier.

At a glance

Dates: From 1880.

What happened

"Kimigayo" is the national anthem of Japan. The lyrics are from a waka poem written by an unnamed author in the Heian period (794–1185), making the lyrics of "Kimigayo" the oldest lyrics of any national anthem. The current melody was chosen in 1880, replacing an unpopular melody composed by John William Fenton in 1869. While the title "Kimigayo" is usually translated as "His Majesty's Reign", no official translation of the title or lyrics have been established in law.

November 3 through the years

Other entries on the same calendar day, in order.

  1. 1880Kimigayo
  2. 1986Compact of Free Association
  3. 1986Iran–Contra affair
  4. 1988Sri Lanka
  5. 1992Arkansas
  6. 1994Space Shuttle program
  7. 1996Abdullah Çatlı
  8. 1997Economic sanctions
  9. 20022002 Marib airstrike
  10. 2014One World Trade Center
  11. 20202020 United States presidential election

Also in 1880

  • May 11Southern Pacific RailroadA land dispute between the Southern Pacific Railroad and settlers in Hanford, California, turned deadly when a gun battle broke out, leav…
  • December 8BoersAt an assembly of 10,000 Boers, Paul Kruger announced the fulfilment of the decision to restore the government and volksraad of the South…
  • June 28Cultural iconPolice captured Australian bank robber and cultural icon Ned Kelly (pictured) after a gun battle in Glenrowan, Victoria.
  • September 1Mohammad Ayub Khan (Afghanistan)The army of Mohammad Ayub Khan is routed by the British at the Battle of Kandahar, ending the Second Anglo-Afghan War.
  • November 2James A. GarfieldJames A. Garfield was elected as president of the United States; the election is the closest to date by popular vote margin.
  • November 11BushrangerAustralian bushranger and outlaw Ned Kelly was hanged in Melbourne, in spite of sympathizers holding rallies for his reprieve.
  • June 24O Canada"O Canada", the present-day national anthem of Canada, was first performed in Quebec City during a Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day banquet.

Everything we record for 1880 →

Sources

Cite this page

“Kimigayo”, What's On This Date, https://whatsonthisdate.com/app/event/kimigayo-1880-november-3, accessed October 25, 2026.

Cite the underlying source as well — the source links above go to the record this entry is adapted from.

Questions about this entry

When did Kimigayo happen?

November 3 1880 — 146 years ago, on a Wednesday.

Where does this text come from?

Wikipedia “On this day” feed. Summaries are short adaptations that link back to the source, not reprints.

How do I cite this page?

Use the ready-made citation near the sources at the bottom of the page, and follow the source link to cite the underlying record as well.

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