United we stand, divided we fall facts for kids

"United we stand, divided we fall" is a famous saying that means people are stronger when they work together. If they are split up and argue, they become weak and can fail. This idea is often used to encourage people to be united and support each other. Sometimes, you might hear a shorter version, "United we stand."

This wise phrase comes from ancient stories told by a storyteller named Aesop. He used fables, which are short stories with a moral lesson, to teach important ideas. The saying appears directly in his story "The Four Oxen and the Lion" and indirectly in "The Bundle of Sticks". It is also the official motto of the state of Kentucky in the United States, adopted way back on December 30, 1792.

The Power of Working Together

The saying "United we stand, divided we fall" teaches us that teamwork makes us strong. When people or groups work together, they can achieve much more than if they try to do things alone. If everyone goes their own way or argues, they become weak and easy to defeat.

Where Did This Idea Come From?

The idea behind "United we stand, divided we fall" comes from the ancient Greek storyteller Aesop. He lived a very long time ago, around 600 BC. Aesop told many fables, which are short stories that teach a moral lesson.

Aesop's Fables and Unity

One of Aesop's fables that shows this idea is "The Four Oxen and the Lion." In this story, four oxen (like cows) always stayed together. A hungry lion wanted to eat them, but it couldn't attack them when they were a group. They were too strong together. One day, the oxen started arguing and went their separate ways. Because they were no longer united, the lion was able to pick them off one by one. This story clearly shows that when they were united, they stood strong, but when they were divided, they fell.

Another fable is "The Bundle of Sticks." In this story, an old man asks his sons to break a bundle of sticks. They cannot break the whole bundle. But when the sticks are separated, they are easy to break individually. This teaches that many people together are strong, but alone, they are weak.

"United We Stand" Today

Even though the phrase is very old, its message is still important today. It is used in many places to remind people about the strength of unity.

Kentucky's State Motto

The phrase "United we stand, divided we fall" is the official motto of the state of Kentucky in the United States. A state motto is a special saying that represents the values and beliefs of a state. Kentucky adopted this motto on December 30, 1792, which was soon after it became a state. It shows that the people of Kentucky believe in the importance of working together for their state's success.

Used in History and Art

The idea of unity has been important throughout history. During times of challenge, leaders and countries often use this phrase to encourage people to come together. For example, during World War II, posters in the United States used similar messages to inspire people to work together for their country. These posters helped remind everyone that by staying united, they could overcome difficulties.

Images for kids

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  World War II propaganda poster from the United States.

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  United States propaganda poster from World War II.

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  'United We Stand' license plate designed by Troy Wingard for the South Carolina Department of Public Safety in 2002