List of state and territory mottos in the United States

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Nil sine numine , the Colorado motto on its state seal
Live or free the , the motto of New Hampshire on a coin ( State Quarters )
Eureka , the California motto on its state seal
Freedom and Unity , the Vermont motto on a coin (State Quarters)
In God we trust , the Florida motto on its state seal
Crossroads of America , Indiana Motto on State Quarters
Ad astra per aspera , the Kansas motto on its state seal
Esto perpetua , the Idaho motto on a coin (State Quarters)
South Carolina has two state mottos
Ua Mau ke Ea o ka ʻĀina i ka Pono , the motto of Hawaii on a coin (State Quarters)

This list includes all of the state and territory mottos in the United States.

All of the 50 states States of the United States have a state motto , and the three territories also have a motto. A motto is a phrase used to describe the overall motivation or intent of an organization. State mottos can sometimes be found on seals or flags. Some states have a motto officially adopted by a state government, others are only shown on the seals. The motto of the United States itself is In God we trust , passed by Congress and introduced by President Dwight D. Eisenhower on July 30, 1956. The motto E pluribus unum (“One of many”) became used for the great seal of the United States since 1782 but was never used as a national motto by the legislature .

South Carolina has two official mottos, both in Latin. Kentucky also has two mottos, one in Latin and the other in English. All other states have only one motto, except for the Northern Mariana Islands , which have no motto. English and Latin are the most widely used languages ​​of the state mottos, used by 25 and 23 states and territories respectively. Eight states and territories use different languages, each of which is used only once. Eight states and two territories have their mottos on the State Quarters , a series of commemorative coins; 38 states and four territories have their mottos on their seals.

The dates that are given where possible are the earliest dates as to when the mottos were first used in the official sense. Some state mottos are not official, but are present on the official state seal. In this case, the date of publication of the seal is indicated.

The earliest use of a state seal was in Puerto Rico , Joannes est nomen eius ("Johannes is his name"). This took place on the island in 1511 by the Spanish.

State and Territory Mottos

Country motto German translation original language year Individual proof
Alabama Audemus jura nostra defendere Literally: We dare to defend our rights
Meaning: We are allowed to defend our rights 		Latin 1923
Alaska North to the future North to the future English 1967
Arizona Ditat Deus God enriches Latin 1863
Arkansas Regnat populus The people rule Latin 1907
Colorado Nile sine numine Nothing without God's will Latin 1861
Connecticut Qui transtulit sustinet He who brought us over will support us Latin 1662
Delaware Liberty and independence Freedom and independence English 1847
District of Columbia (Washington, DC) Lady Justice omnibus Justice for all Latin 1871
Florida In God we trust We trust in God English 1868
Georgia Wisdom, justice, and moderation Wisdom, justice and moderation English 1798
Guam Guahan i tano 'chamorro Land of the Chamorros Chamorro 1945
Hawaii Ua mau ke ea o ka āina i ka pono The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness Hawaiian 1843
Idaho Esto perpetua It should last forever Latin 1890
Illinois State sovereignty, national union State sovereignty, national association English 1819
Indiana The crossroads of America The crossroads of America English 1937
Iowa Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain We appreciate our freedoms and uphold our rights English 1847
California Eureka I found out Greek 1849
Kansas Ad astra per aspera On rough paths to the stars Latin 1861
Kentucky United we stand, divided we fall
Deo gratiam habeamus 		United we stand, apart we fall
Let us be thankful to God 		English
Latin 		1942
2002
Louisiana Union, justice, confidence Unity, justice, trust English 1902
Maine Dirigo I lead Latin 1820
Maryland Fatti maschii parole femine Literal: masculine deeds, feminine words
Meaning: determined deeds, careful choice of words 		Italian 1874
Massachusetts Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem With the sword he seeks peaceful rest in freedom Latin 1775
Michigan Si quaeris peninsulam amoenam circumspice If you're looking for a lovely peninsula, look around Latin 1835
Minnesota L'étoile du Nord The star of the north French 1861
Mississippi Virtute et armis With courage and weapons Latin 1894
Missouri Salus populi suprema lex esto Let the welfare of the people be the first law Latin 1822
Montana Oro y plata gold and silver Spanish 1865
Nebraska Equality before the law Equality before the law English 1867
Nevada All for our country Everything for our country English 1866
New Hampshire Live free or die Live free or die English 1945
New Jersey Liberty and prosperity Freedom and prosperity English 1928
New Mexico Crescit eundo It grows as you go Latin 1887
new York Excelsior Aim higher Latin 1778
North Carolina Eat quam videri Be more than seem Latin 1893
North Dakota Liberty and union, now and forever, one and inseparable Freedom and union, today and forever, one and inseparable English 1889
Northern Mariana Islands - - - -
Ohio With God, all things are possible With God all things are possible English 1959
Oklahoma Laboratory omnia vincit Work conquers everything Latin 1893
Oregon Alis volat propriis she flies with her own wings Latin 1854
Pennsylvania Virtue, liberty, and independence Virtue, freedom and independence English 1875
Puerto Rico Joannes est nomen eius Johannes is his name Latin 1511
Rhode Island Hope hope English 1644
Samoa Samoa, Muamua Le Atua Samoa, God first Samoan 1973
South carolina Dum spiro spero
Animis opibusque parati 		As long as I breathe I hope
ready in heart and source 		Latin 1777
South Dakota Under God the people rule People rule under God English 1885
Tennessee Agriculture and Commerce Agriculture and Commerce English 1802
Texas Friendship Friendship English 1930
Utah Industry Diligence English 1896
Vermont Freedom and unity Freedom and unity English 1779
Virginia Sic semper tyrannis Literally: So always to tyrants
Meaning: Death to the tyrant 		Latin 1776
Virgin Islands (Virgin Islands) United in pride and hope United in pride and hope English 1991
Washington Al-ki Sometime Chinook -
West Virginia Montani semper liberi Mountain dwellers are always free Latin 1863
Wisconsin Forward Forward English 1851
Wyoming Equal rights Equal rights English 1893


Individual evidence

  1. ^ History of 'In God we Trust' . US Treasury. Archived from the original on February 28, 2009. Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved February 27, 2009. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.treas.gov
  2. ^ A b Seals, Flags, House & Senate Emblems . State of South Carolina. Retrieved April 10, 2009.
  3. ↑ a b Kentucky's State Symbols . Commonwealth of Kentucky. January 29, 2008. Archived from the original on July 31, 2007. Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved February 7, 2009. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / kdla.ky.gov
  4. ↑ a b Shearer 24
  5. ↑ a b Shearer 23
  6. ↑ Official Alabama motto . In: Alabama Emblems, Symbols and Honors . Alabama Department of Archives & History. February 13, 2008. Retrieved February 6, 2009.
  7. ↑ State Symbols . State of Alaska. Archived from the original on July 18, 2008. Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved February 7, 2009. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.commerce.state.ak.us
  8. ^ Arizona State Seal . State of Arizona. Archived from the original on June 10, 2009. Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved February 7, 2009. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / az.gov
  9. ^ History of the Arizona State Seal . Arizona Secretary of State. Archived from the original on February 11, 2009. Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved February 10, 2009. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.azsos.gov
  10. ↑ The Great Seal of Arkansas (PDF; 1.1 MB) State of Arkansas. Retrieved February 14, 2009.
  11. ^ Colorado State Archives Symbols & Emblems . State of Colorado. Retrieved February 7, 2009.
  12. ↑ Sites, Seals & Symbols . State of Connecticut. 6/9/2008. Archived from the original on December 10, 2010. Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved February 14, 2009. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.ct.gov
  13. ^ Delaware Facts and Symbols . State of Delaware. 14-Aug-2008. Retrieved February 7, 2009.
  14. ^ About DC . District of Columbia. Retrieved February 7, 2009.
  15. ↑ Shearer 30
  16. ^ State Seal . State of Georgia. Retrieved February 14, 2009.
  17. ^ Georgia State Symbols . State of Georgia. Retrieved April 10, 2009.
  18. ^ Hawaii, the Aloha State . State of Hawaii. 2009-14-14. Retrieved March 2, 2009.
  19. ↑ Hawaii State Motto . NETSTATE.COM. Retrieved February 15, 2009.
  20. ↑ Idaho's State Motto (PDF) Idaho State Historical Society. March 1970. Retrieved February 7, 2009.
  21. ^ Seal of the State of Illinois . State of Illinois. Archived from the original on January 31, 2009. Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved February 15, 2009. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.sos.state.il.us
  22. ^ Emblems (PDF) State of Indiana. Retrieved February 7, 2009.
  23. ^ Iowa State Symbols . State of Iowa. Archived from the original on April 30, 2010. Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved February 7, 2009. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.legis.state.ia.us
  24. ^ History and Culture - State Symbols . State of California. Retrieved February 7, 2009.
  25. ^ Kansas Seal . State of Kansas. Archived from the original on October 28, 2009. Retrieved February 7, 2009.
  26. ↑ Kids' Page . State of Louisiana. Archived from the original on November 26, 2010. Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved February 7, 2009. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / louisiana.gov
  27. ↑ Emblems . State of Maine. Retrieved February 7, 2009.
  28. ^ Maryland State Seal - Great Seal of Maryland (reverse) . In: Maryland State Archives . State of Maryland. April 21, 2005. Retrieved February 14, 2009.
  29. ^ Maryland State Seal - Great Seal of Maryland . In: Maryland State Archives . State of Maryland. June 17, 2004. Retrieved February 14, 2009.
  30. ^ Massachusetts Facts . Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Retrieved February 10, 2009.
  31. ^ History of the Great Seal . State of Michigan. Retrieved February 14, 2009.
  32. ^ State motto . State of Michigan. Retrieved August 22, 2010.
  33. ^ Minnesota State Symbols . State of Minnesota. Retrieved March 2, 2009.
  34. ^ State of Mississippi Symbols . State of Mississippi. Archived from the original on April 29, 2009. Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved February 10, 2009. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.ms.gov
  35. ↑ The Great Seal of Missouri . State of Missouri. Retrieved February 10, 2009.
  36. ^ About the State Seal . State of Montana. Archived from the original on February 5, 2009. Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved February 10, 2009. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / sos.mt.gov
  37. ^ State Seal . State of Nebraska. Retrieved February 10, 2009.
  38. ^ Nevada Information (PDF) State of Nevada. Archived from the original on February 26, 2009. Retrieved on February 10, 2009.
  39. ^ State emblem . In: New Hampshire Almanac . State of New Hampshire. Retrieved February 10, 2009.
  40. ^ The Great Seal of the State of New Jersey . State of New Jersey. Retrieved February 10, 2009.
  41. ^ Great Seal of New Mexico . State of New Mexico. Archived from the original on November 29, 2008. Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved February 10, 2009. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.sos.state.nm.us
  42. ^ New York State Flag and Great Seal of the State of New York . State of New York. March 31, 2008. Retrieved February 10, 2009.
  43. ^ The State Symbols . In: State Library of North Carolina . State of North Carolina. January 22, 2009. Retrieved February 7, 2009.
  44. ^ State motto . State of North Dakota. Archived from the original on June 8, 2011. Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved February 10, 2009. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.nd.gov
  45. ↑ 5.06 State motto. . In: LAW Writer Ohio Laws and Rules . State of Ohio. Retrieved February 10, 2009.
  46. ^ Diana Everett: State Emblems . In: Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture . Oklahoma Historical Society. Archived from the original on June 15, 2009. Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved June 5, 2009. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / digital.library.okstate.edu
  47. ↑ Grand Seal of the Territory of Oklahoma (PDF; 619 kB) In: Chronicles of Oklahoma . Oklahoma State University. Retrieved June 5, 2009.
  48. ↑ History of Oklahoma Emblems (PDF; 387 kB) In: Chronicles of Oklahoma . Oklahoma State University. Retrieved June 5, 2009.
  49. ^ State themed timeline . State of Oregon. Archived from the original on August 10, 2007. Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved February 10, 2009. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.leg.state.or.us
  50. ↑ Symbols . In: Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission . Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Archived from the original on February 2, 2004. Retrieved on February 10, 2009.
  51. ^ Escudo de Puerto Rico ( Spanish ) Government of Puerto Rico. Retrieved February 10, 2009.
  52. ↑ Description . Welcome to Puerto Rico. March 16, 2009. Retrieved April 10, 2009.
  53. ↑ State Symbols . State of Rhode Island. Retrieved February 10, 2009.
  54. ^ Stan Sorensen, Theroux, Joseph: The Samoan Historical Calendar, 1607-2007 (PDF) American Samoa Government. Retrieved March 7, 2009.
  55. ^ Signs and Symbols of South Dakota . State of South Dakota. Archived from the original on February 20, 2008. Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved February 10, 2009. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.state.sd.us
  56. ↑ Tennessee Symbols And Honors (PDF; 588 kB) In: Tennessee Blue Book . State of Tennessee. Retrieved February 10, 2009.
  57. ↑ Texas State Symbols . Texas State Library. Retrieved February 10, 2009.
  58. ^ Great Seal of the State of Utah . State of Utah. Archived from the original on May 14, 2009. Retrieved April 5, 2009.
  59. ^ Utah State Motto and Emblem . State of Utah. Retrieved February 7, 2009.
  60. ↑ 491. Coat of arms; crest; motto and badge . In: The Vermont Statutes Online . State of Vermont. Retrieved February 10, 2009.
  61. ^ State Symbols, Seals and Emblems . Commonwealth of Virginia. 11/12/2008. Archived from the original on January 15, 2009. Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved February 10, 2009. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.virginia.org
  62. ^ Legislative Seal . Legislature of the Virgin Islands. Archived from the original on December 16, 2008. Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved February 15, 2009. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.legvi.org
  63. ^ Symbols of Washington State . Washington State Legislature. Archived from the original on March 5, 2007. Retrieved March 11, 2007.
  64. ^ State Seal of West Virginia . State of West Virginia. Retrieved February 14, 2009.
  65. ↑ Wisconsin State Symbols (PDF; 655 kB) In: Wisconsin Blue Book . State of Wisconsin. Archived from the original on February 27, 2009. Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved February 14, 2009. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.legis.wisconsin.gov
  66. ↑ Great Seal . Wyoming Secretary of State's Office. Archived from the original on November 27, 2008. Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved February 14, 2009. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / vote.wyoming.gov

literature

  • Benjamin F. Shearer; Barbara S. Shearer: State Names, Seals, Flags, and Symbols (Greenwood Publishing Group, 2002 ISBN 978-0-313-31534-3 )

Web links