Seal of North Dakota facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Great Seal of the State of North Dakota |
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| Armiger | State of North Dakota |
| Adopted | 1987 |
| Motto | Liberty and Union Now and Forever, One and Inseparable |
The Great Seal of the State of North Dakota is the official seal of the U.S. state of North Dakota. It's like a special stamp that represents the state's history, values, and what's important to its people. This seal is used on official documents and buildings. The colors you see on the seal can be a bit different depending on where you find it.
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Understanding the North Dakota State Seal
The design of North Dakota's Great Seal is based on an older seal from when it was still a territory, called the Dakota Territory. That original design was created way back in 1862-1863.
What the Seal Shows
The seal tells a story about North Dakota. Here are the main parts you can see:
- A large tree stands in an open field.
- Around the bottom of the tree, there are three bundles of wheat. This shows how important farming is to the state.
- On the right side, you'll see a plow, an anvil, and a sledgehammer. These tools represent farming and industry.
- On the left side, there's a bow crossed with three arrows. This symbolizes the Native American heritage of the region.
- An Indian person on horseback is shown chasing a buffalo towards the setting sun. This scene represents the wildlife and the early way of life in the area.
- Above the tree's leaves, there's a half-circle of forty-two stars. These stars represent North Dakota as the 42nd state to join the United States.
The Seal's Important Words and Dates
The seal also has important words and dates around its edge:
- The motto, "Liberty and Union Now and Forever, One and Inseparable," circles the design. This famous saying comes from a speech by Daniel Webster. It means that freedom and working together are always important and cannot be separated.
- At the very top, you'll see the words "Great Seal."
- At the bottom, it says "State of North Dakota."
- On the left side, it has "October 1st."
- On the right side, it shows "1889." These dates mark when North Dakota officially became a state.
Who Designed the Current Seal?
The current Great Seal of North Dakota was designed by Lili Stewart, who is from North Dakota.
