List of U.S. state and territory mottos facts for kids
A state motto is a special phrase or saying that describes what a state or territory stands for. It often shows the main goals or spirit of that place. Most of the 50 states have a motto. The District of Columbia and three U.S. territories also have them.
You can often find state mottos on state seals or state flags. Some states have officially chosen their motto through their state government. Other states simply have a motto as part of their official seal.
The motto for the entire United States is In God We Trust. This was made official in 1956 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Another important phrase, "E pluribus unum" (which means 'out of many, one' in Latin), was approved for the Great Seal of the United States in 1782. However, it was never officially made the national motto by law.
Interesting Facts About State Mottos
South Carolina is unique because it has two official mottos, both in Latin. Kentucky, North Dakota, and Vermont also have two mottos. One is in Latin, and the other is in English.
Most other states and territories have just one motto. However, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands do not have any mottos at all.
The most common languages for state mottos are English and Latin. Each of these languages is used by 25 states and territories. Seven other states and territories use a different language, but each of those languages is only used once.
Many states show their mottos in special places:
- Eight states and two territories have their mottos on their state quarter coins.
- Thirty-eight states and four territories display their mottos on their official state seals.
The dates given for mottos usually show the first time the motto was used officially. If a motto is not officially chosen but is on the state seal, the date the seal was adopted is used instead. The oldest motto still in use belongs to Puerto Rico. It is "Joannes est nomen ejus", which was given to the island by the Spanish in 1511.
State, Federal District, and Territory Mottos
| Place | Motto | English Meaning | Language | Date Adopted | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Audemus jura nostra defendere | We dare defend our rights | Latin | 1923 | |
| Alaska | North to the Future | N/A | English | 1967 | |
| American Samoa | Samoa, Muamua Le Atua | Samoa, let Atua be first | Samoan | 1973 | |
| Arizona | Ditat Deus | God enriches | Latin | 1863 | |
| Arkansas | Regnat populus | The people rule | Latin | 1907 | |
| California | Eureka (Εὕρηκα) | I have found it | Greek | 1849 | |
| Colorado | Nil sine numine | Nothing without providence | Latin | November 6, 1861 | |
| Connecticut | Qui transtulit sustinet | He who transplanted still sustains | Latin | October 9, 1662 | |
| Delaware | Liberty and Independence | N/A | English | 1847 | |
| District of Columbia | Justitia Omnibus | Justice for all | Latin | August 3, 1871 | |
| Florida | In God We Trust | N/A | English | 1868 | |
| Georgia | Wisdom, Justice, Moderation | N/A | English | 1798 | |
| Guam | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
| Hawaii | Ua mau ke ea o ka ʻāina i ka pono | The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness | Hawaiian | July 31, 1843 | |
| Idaho | Esto perpetua | Let it be perpetual | Latin | 1890 | |
| Illinois | State sovereignty, national union | N/A | English | 1819 | |
| Indiana | The Crossroads of America | N/A | English | 1937 | |
| Iowa | Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain | N/A | English | 1847 | |
| Kansas | Ad astra per aspera | To the stars through difficulties | Latin | 1861 | |
| Kentucky | United we stand, divided we fall | N/A | English | 1942 | |
| Deo gratiam habeamus | Let us be grateful to God | Latin | 2002 | ||
| Louisiana | Union, justice, confidence | N/A | English | 1902 | |
| Maine | Dirigo | I lead | Latin | 1820 | |
| Maryland | Fatti maschi, parole femine | Strong deeds, gentle words | Italian | 1874 | |
| Massachusetts | Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem | By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty | Latin | 1775 | |
| Michigan | Si quaeris peninsulam amoenam circumspice | If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you | Latin | June 2, 1835 | |
| Minnesota | L'étoile du Nord | The star of the North | French | 1861 | |
| Mississippi | Virtute et armis | By valor and arms | Latin | February 7, 1894 | |
| Missouri | Salus populi suprema lex esto | Let the welfare of the people be the supreme law | Latin | January 11, 1822 | |
| Montana | Oro y plata | Gold and silver | Spanish | February 9, 1865 | |
| Nebraska | Equality before the law | N/A | English | 1867 | |
| Nevada | All For Our Country | N/A | English | February 24, 1866 | |
| New Hampshire | Live Free or Die | N/A | English | 1945 | |
| New Jersey | Liberty and prosperity | N/A | English | March 26, 1928 | |
| New Mexico | Crescit eundo | It grows as it goes | Latin | 1887 | |
| New York | Excelsior | Ever upward | Latin | 1778 | |
| North Carolina | Esse quam videri | To be, rather than to seem | Latin | 1893 | |
| North Dakota | Liberty and union, now and forever, one and inseparable | N/A | English | January 3, 1863 | |
| Serit ut alteri saeclo prosit | One sows for the benefit of another age | Latin | March 11, 2011 | ||
| Northern Mariana Islands | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
| Ohio | With God, all things are possible | N/A | English | October 1, 1959 | |
| Oklahoma | Labor omnia vincit | Labor conquers all things | Latin | March 10, 1893 | |
| Oregon | Alis volat propriis | She flies with her own wings | Latin | 1854 | |
| Pennsylvania | Virtue, liberty, and independence | N/A | English | 1875 | |
| Puerto Rico | Joannes Est Nomen Ejus | John is his name | Latin | 1511 | |
| Rhode Island | Hope | N/A | English | May 4, 1664 | |
| South Carolina | Dum spiro spero | While I breathe, I hope | Latin | May 22, 1777 | |
| Animis opibusque parati | Ready in soul and resource | Latin | |||
| South Dakota | Under God the people rule | N/A | English | 1885 | |
| Tennessee | Agriculture and Commerce | N/A | English | May 24, 1802 | |
| Texas | Friendship | N/A | English | 1930 | |
| Utah | Industry | N/A | English | May 3, 1896 | |
| Vermont | Freedom and Unity | N/A | English | February 20, 1779 | |
| Stella quarta decima fulgeat | May the fourteenth star shine bright | Latin | April 10, 2015 | ||
| Virginia | Sic semper tyrannis | Thus always to tyrants | Latin | 1776 | |
| U.S. Virgin Islands | United in Pride and Hope | N/A | English | January 1, 1991 | |
| Washington | Al-ki or Alki (Unofficial) | By and by | Chinook Jargon | N/A | |
| West Virginia | Montani semper liberi | Mountaineers are always free | Latin | September 26, 1863 | |
| Wisconsin | Forward | N/A | English | 1851 | |
| Wyoming | Equal Rights | N/A | English | 1893 |
See also
- List of national mottos
- List of U.S. state nicknames
- List of U.S. state tourism slogans
- United States national motto
