"Gloria al Bravo Pueblo" ("Glory to the Brave People") was adopted as Venezuela's national anthem by President Antonio Guzmán Blanco on May 25, 1881. The lyrics were written by the physician and journalist Vicente Salias in 1810. The music was later composed by musician Juan José Landaeta. It is said, however, that the melody has been known since 1840 as "La Marsellesa Venezolana" ("Venezuelan Marseillaise"), in reference to its subtle similarity to the French national anthem.