Stella quarta decima facts for kids
Stella quarta decima is a special phrase from Latin that means "The Fourteenth Star." This phrase appeared on copper coins made in Vermont during 1785 and 1786. At that time, Vermont was an independent state, meaning it was like its own country, from 1777 to 1791. People sometimes called it the Vermont Republic.
The phrase Stella quarta decima was found on the back of these coins. It went around a circle of 13 small stars. These 13 stars stood for the 13 U.S. states that already existed. In the middle of these stars was one larger star with an eye inside it. This design showed that Vermont, as an independent state, really wanted to join the United States as the fourteenth state. The United States Congress officially allowed Vermont to join the Union as the fourteenth state on March 4, 1791.
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Vermont's Hope: The Fourteenth Star
The phrase Stella quarta decima was more than just words on a coin. It showed Vermont's big dream to become part of the growing United States. When the coins were made, Vermont was not yet one of the states. It had its own government and rules. The people of Vermont wanted to be recognized as an equal partner with the other states.
What Does "Stella Quarta Decima" Mean?
The words Stella quarta decima come from Latin.
- Stella means "star."
- Quarta means "fourth."
- Decima means "tenth."
So, quarta decima together means "fourteenth." This simple phrase clearly stated Vermont's goal: to be the 14th state in the new United States.
Vermont's Journey to Become a State
After the American Revolutionary War, Vermont was in a unique position. It had declared itself independent. But it was not yet part of the United States. For several years, Vermont acted like its own country. It had its own money, like the copper coins with the "Fourteenth Star" motto. This motto was a constant reminder of Vermont's wish to join the Union. Finally, after years of working towards this goal, Vermont was officially welcomed into the United States on March 4, 1791. It became the first state to join after the original 13 colonies.
The Motto Today: An Official State Phrase
The idea behind "The Fourteenth Star" is still important to Vermont today. On April 10, 2015, an extended version of the phrase became an official state motto. This longer phrase is "Stella quarta decima fulgeat." In English, these Latin words mean "May the fourteenth star shine bright." This shows that the historical hope of Vermont is still remembered and celebrated.
