The music and lyrics were written in 1873 by Kārlis Baumanis, a teacher who was part of the Young Latvian nationalist movement.

[1] It is thought that Baumanis was inspired by a popular song "Dievs, svētī Kurzemi/Vidzemi" (lit.

'God Bless Kurzeme/Vidzeme', which was modified depending on the region it was used in) that was sung to the tune of "God Save the King".

[2][3][4] During the occupation of Latvia by the Soviet Union, the singing of "Dievs, svētī Latviju" was banned.

"Dievs, svētī Latviju" was restored as the state anthem of Latvia on February 15, 1990[5] – shortly before independence on May 4.

The current version played on LTV for their sign-on and sign-offs daily is in the key of B-flat major.