Generally, no. However, Congress occasionally changes the law to give back copyright to lapsed works. Detailed information on laws, procedures, etc. and forms for copyright are on the Copyright Office website.
To destroy the Spaniards and reestablish the republican government that once formed the confederation of Venezuela
Lapsed was created on 1997-10-21.
It almost certainly is. Any piece of work is copyright by the person who created it; they can choose to put it in the public domain or license it under a permissive license; and if they don't act to protect their copyright it can become diluted to the point that it is no longer enforceable. So there is a chance that the Nyan Cat song's copyright has lapsed, but it is not safe to assume that.
To destroy the Spaniards and reestablish the republican government that once formed the confederation of Venezuela
Once a work of sufficient originality is fixed in a tangible medium, it is automatically protected by copyright.
Once a work of sufficient originality is fixed in a tangible medium, it is automatically protected by copyright.
Once copyright term expires, the material enters the public domain.
It's still under copyright in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (until 2013), Colombia (2018), Spain (2018), and Mexico (2038). Everywhere else, the copyright has lapsed. However, special legislation in the UK grants Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children (which Barrie gave the copyright to) the perpetual right to collect royalties.
It's still under copyright in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (until 2013), Colombia (2018), Spain (2018), and Mexico (2038). Everywhere else, the copyright has lapsed. However, special legislation in the UK grants Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children (which Barrie gave the copyright to) the perpetual right to collect royalties.
It's still under copyright in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (until 2013), Colombia (2018), Spain (2018), and Mexico (2038). Everywhere else, the copyright has lapsed. However, special legislation in the UK grants Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children (which Barrie gave the copyright to) the perpetual right to collect royalties.
Once your work is fixed (written down, recorded, etc.), it is automatically protected by copyright.
Works are automatically protected once they are fixed, but you can register your art with the copyright office if you wish.