The music of the German national anthem, known as Deutschlandlied, was composed by Joseph Haydn in 1797, while its lyrics were written by August Heinrich Hoffmann von Fallersleben in 1841. Only the third stanza is used as the official anthem today, a status confirmed for West Germany in 1952 and for reunified Germany in 1991. It is now heard at state occasions, international summits and major sporting events, where it represents Germany rather than any political party or era. Its long history and instantly recognisable melody help explain why creators still reach for it for patriotic and documentary material.