From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Note: Sandbox copy of table from
List of U.S. state and territory mottos .
State, federal district and territory mottos
State federal district or territory
Motto
English translation
Language
Date
Ref(s)
Alabama
Audemus jura nostra defendere
We dare defend our rights
Latin
1923
[1]
Alaska
North to the Future
—
English
1967
[2]
American Samoa
Samoa, Muamua Le
Atua
Samoa, let God be first
Samoan
1973
[3]
Arizona
Ditat Deus
God enriches
Latin
1863
[4]
[5]
Arkansas
Regnat populus
[N 1]
The people rule
Latin
1907
[6]
California
Eureka (Εὕρηκα)
I have found it
Greek
1849
[N 2]
[7]
Colorado
Nil sine numine
Nothing without providence
Latin
November 6, 1861
[8]
Connecticut
Qui transtulit sustinet
He who transplanted still sustains
Latin
October 9, 1662
[9]
Delaware
Liberty and Independence
—
English
1847
[10]
District of Columbia
Justitia Omnibus
Justice for All
Latin
August 3, 1871
[11]
Florida
In God We Trust
—
English
1868
[N 3]
[12]
Georgia
Wisdom, Justice, Moderation
[N 4]
—
English
1798
[14]
[15]
[13]
Guam
—
—
—
—
[16]
Hawaii
Ua mau ke ea o ka ʻāina i ka pono
The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness
Hawaiian
July 31, 1843
[N 5]
[18]
[17]
Idaho
Esto perpetua
Let it be perpetual
Latin
1890
[19]
Illinois
State sovereignty, national union
—
English
1819
[20]
Indiana
The Crossroads of America
—
English
1937
[21]
Iowa
Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain
—
English
1847
[22]
Kansas
Ad astra per aspera
To the stars through difficulties
Latin
1861
[23]
Kentucky
United we stand, divided we fall
—
English
1942
[24]
Deo gratiam habeamus
Let us be grateful to God
Latin
2002
[25]
Louisiana
Union, justice, confidence
—
English
1902
[26]
Maine
Dirigo
I lead
Latin
1820
[27]
Maryland
Fatti maschi, parole femine
Strong deeds, gentle words
Italian
1874
[28]
[29]
Massachusetts
Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem
By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty
Latin
1775
[30]
Michigan
Si quaeris peninsulam amoenam circumspice
If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you
Latin
June 2, 1835
[31]
[32]
Minnesota
L'étoile du Nord
[N 6]
The star of the North
French
1861
[33]
Mississippi
Virtute et armis
By valor and arms
Latin
February 7, 1894
[34]
Missouri
Salus populi suprema lex esto
Let the welfare of the people be the supreme law
Latin
January 11, 1822
[35]
Montana
Oro y plata
Gold and silver
Spanish
February 9, 1865
[36]
Nebraska
Equality before the law
—
English
1867
[37]
Nevada
All For Our Country
[N 7]
—
English
February 24, 1866
[38]
New Hampshire
Live Free or Die
—
English
1945
[39]
New Jersey
Liberty and prosperity
—
English
March 26, 1928
[40]
New Mexico
Crescit eundo
It grows as it goes
Latin
1887
[N 8]
[41]
New York
Excelsior
Ever upward
Latin
1778
[42]
North Carolina
Esse quam videri
To be, rather than to seem
Latin
1893
[43]
North Dakota
Liberty and union, now and forever, one and inseparable
—
English
January 3, 1863
[44]
[45]
Serit ut alteri saeclo prosit
One sows for the benefit of another age
Latin
March 11, 2011
[46]
Northern Mariana Islands
—
—
—
—
[16]
Ohio
With God, all things are possible
[N 9]
—
English
October 1, 1959
[48]
[47]
Oklahoma
Labor omnia vincit
Labor conquers all things
Latin
March 10, 1893
[N 10]
[N 11]
[51]
[49]
[50]
Oregon
Alis volat propriis
She flies with her own wings
Latin
1854
[N 12]
[52]
Pennsylvania
Virtue, liberty, and independence
—
English
1875
[53]
Puerto Rico
Joannes Est Nomen Ejus
John is his name
Latin
1511
[N 13]
[54]
[55]
Rhode Island
Hope
—
English
May 4, 1664
[56]
South Carolina
Dum spiro spero
While I breathe, I hope
Latin
May 22, 1777
[57]
Animis opibusque parati
Ready in soul and resource
Latin
South Dakota
Under God the people rule
—
English
1885
[58]
Tennessee
Agriculture and Commerce
—
English
May 24, 1802
[N 14]
[59]
Texas
Friendship
—
English
1930
[60]
Utah
Industry
—
English
May 3, 1896
[N 15]
[61]
[62]
Vermont
Freedom and Unity
—
English
February 20, 1779
[63]
Stella quarta decima fulgeat
May the fourteenth star shine bright
Latin
April 10, 2015
[64]
[65]
Virginia
Sic semper tyrannis
Thus always to tyrants
Latin
1776
[66]
Virgin Islands
United in Pride and Hope
—
English
January 1, 1991
[67]
Washington
Al-ki or Alki (Unofficial)
[N 16]
By and by
Chinook Jargon
—
[68]
West Virginia
Montani semper liberi
Mountaineers are always free
Latin
September 26, 1863
[69]
Wisconsin
Forward
—
English
1851
[70]
Wyoming
Equal Rights
—
English
1893
[71]
^
"Official Alabama Motto" . Alabama Emblems, Symbols and Honors . Alabama Department of Archives & History. February 13, 2008. Retrieved 2009-02-06 .
^
"State Symbols" . State of Alaska. Retrieved 2019-05-13 .
^ Sorensen, Stan; Theroux, Joseph.
"The Samoan Historical Calendar, 1607-2007" (PDF) . American Samoa Government. p. 57. Archived from
the original (PDF) on 2008-06-26. Retrieved 2009-03-07 .
^
"Arizona State Seal" . State of Arizona. Archived from
the original on 2009-06-10. Retrieved 2009-02-07 .
^
"History of the Arizona State Seal" . Arizona Secretary of State. Archived from
the original on 2009-02-11. Retrieved 2009-02-10 .
^
a
b
"The Great Seal of Arkansas" (PDF) . State of Arkansas. Retrieved 2009-02-14 .
^
a
b
"History and Culture - State Symbols" . State of California. Retrieved 2009-02-07 .
^
"Colorado State Archives Symbols & Emblems" . State of Colorado. Retrieved 2009-02-07 .
^
"Sites, Seals & Symbols" . State of Connecticut. June 9, 2008. Archived from
the original on 2010-12-10. Retrieved 2009-02-14 .
^
"Delaware Facts and Symbols" . State of Delaware. 14 August 2008. Retrieved 2009-02-07 .
^
"About District of Columbia" . District of Columbia. Retrieved 2009-02-07 .
^
a
b
"What is the state motto of Florida?" . State of Florida. Archived from
the original on 2012-07-19. Retrieved 2009-02-07 .
^
a
b
"Government - Georgia State Motto" . GeorgiaInfo . Digital Library of Georgia. Archived from
the original on 11 August 2020. Retrieved 20 July 2020 .
^
"State Seal" . State of Georgia. Archived from
the original on 2014-05-24. Retrieved 2009-02-14 .
^
"Georgia State Symbols" . State of Georgia. Archived from
the original on 2012-11-30. Retrieved 2009-04-10 .
^
a
b Cite error: The named reference Shearer
was invoked but never defined (see the
help page ).
^
a
b
"Hawaii State Motto" . NETSTATE.COM. Retrieved 2009-02-15 .
^
"Hawaii, the Aloha State" . State of Hawaii. 2009-01-14. Retrieved 2009-03-02 .
^
"Idaho's State Motto" (PDF) . Idaho State Historical Society. March 1970. Retrieved 2009-02-07 .
^
"Seal of the State of Illinois" . State of Illinois. Archived from
the original on 2009-01-31. Retrieved 2009-02-15 .
^
"Emblems" (PDF) . State of Indiana. Retrieved 2009-02-07 .
^
"Iowa State Symbols" . State of Iowa. Archived from
the original on 2010-04-30. Retrieved 2009-02-07 .
^
"Kansas Seal" . State of Kansas. Archived from
the original on January 29, 2009. Retrieved 2009-02-07 .
^
"Kentucky's State Symbols" . Commonwealth of Kentucky. 2008-01-29. Archived from
the original on 2008-12-22. Retrieved 2009-02-07 .
^ The Latin motto was adopted by
HB 857 and is defined by
KRS 2.105
Archived 2013-06-05 at the
Wayback Machine .
^
"Kids' Page" . State of Louisiana. Archived from
the original on 2010-11-26. Retrieved 2009-02-07 .
^
"Emblems" . State of Maine. Archived from
the original on 2009-05-10. Retrieved 2009-02-07 .
^
"Maryland State Seal - Great Seal of Maryland (reverse)" . Maryland State Archives . State of Maryland. April 21, 2005. Retrieved 2009-02-14 .
^
"Maryland State Seal - Great Seal of Maryland" . Maryland State Archives . State of Maryland. June 17, 2004. Retrieved 2009-02-14 .
^
"Massachusetts Facts" . Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Retrieved 2009-02-10 .
^
"History of the Great Seal" . State of Michigan. Retrieved 2009-02-14 .
^
"State Motto" . State of Michigan. Retrieved 22 August 2010 .
^
a
b
"Minnesota State Symbols" . State of Minnesota. Retrieved 2009-03-02 .
^
"State of Mississippi Symbols" . State of Mississippi. Archived from
the original on April 29, 2009. Retrieved 2009-02-10 .
^
"The Great Seal of Missouri" . State of Missouri. Retrieved 2009-02-10 .
^
"About the State Seal" . State of Montana. Archived from
the original on 2009-02-05. Retrieved 2009-02-10 .
^
"State Seal" . State of Nebraska. Retrieved 2009-02-10 .
^
a
b
"Nevada Information" . State of Nevada. Archived from
the original (PDF) on 2009-01-30. Retrieved 2009-02-10 .
^
"State Emblem" . New Hampshire Almanac . State of New Hampshire. Retrieved 2009-02-10 .
^
"The Great Seal of the State of New Jersey" . State of New Jersey. Archived from
the original on 2009-01-15. Retrieved 2009-02-10 .
^
a
b
"Great Seal of New Mexico" . State of New Mexico. Archived from
the original on 2008-11-29. Retrieved 2009-02-10 .
^
"New York State Flag and Great Seal of the State of New York" . State of New York. March 31, 2008. Retrieved 2009-02-10 .
^
"The State Symbols" . State Library of North Carolina . State of North Carolina. 2009-01-22. Retrieved 2009-02-07 .
^
"State Motto" . State of North Dakota. Archived from
the original on 2009-02-11. Retrieved 2009-02-10 .
^ Kingsbury, George. History of Dakota Territory (1915).
Retrieved from the Internet Archive 12 May 2014.
^
"House Bill No. 1346" . State of North Dakota. Retrieved 2013-02-27 .
^
a
b
"Great Seal of Ohio" . Ohio History . Ohio Historical Society. Retrieved 2011-04-10 .
^
"5.06 State motto" . LAW Writer Ohio Laws and Rules . State of Ohio. Retrieved 2009-02-10 .
^
a
b
"Grand Seal of the Territory of Oklahoma" (PDF) . Chronicles of Oklahoma . Oklahoma State University. Archived from
the original (PDF) on 2013-05-20. Retrieved 2009-06-05 .
^
a
b
"History of Oklahoma Emblems" (PDF) . Chronicles of Oklahoma . Oklahoma State University. Archived from
the original (PDF) on 2017-09-18. Retrieved 2009-06-05 .
^ Everett, Diana.
"State Emblems" . Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture . Oklahoma Historical Society. Archived from
the original on 2009-06-15. Retrieved 2009-06-05 .
^
a
b
"State Motto Timeline" . State of Oregon. Archived from
the original on 2007-08-10. Retrieved 2009-02-10 .
^
"Symbols" . Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission . Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Archived from
the original on 2009-01-22. Retrieved 2009-02-10 .
^
a
b
"Escudo de Puerto Rico" (in Spanish). Government of Puerto Rico. Archived from
the original on 2011-06-26. Retrieved 2011-04-10 .
^
"Description" . Welcome to Puerto Rico. March 16, 2009. Retrieved 2009-04-10 .
^
"State Symbols" . State of Rhode Island. Retrieved 2009-02-10 .
^
"Seals, Flags, House & Senate Emblems" . State of South Carolina. Retrieved 2009-04-10 .
^
"Signs and Symbols of South Dakota" . State of South Dakota. Archived from
the original on 2008-02-20. Retrieved 2009-02-10 .
^
a
b
"Tennessee Symbols And Honors" (PDF) . Tennessee Blue Book . State of Tennessee. Retrieved 2009-02-10 .
^
"Texas State Symbols" . Texas State Library. Retrieved 2009-02-10 .
^
a
b
"Utah State Motto and Emblem" . State of Utah. Archived from
the original on 2020-01-22. Retrieved 2009-02-07 .
^
"Great Seal of the State of Utah" . State of Utah. Archived from
the original on 2009-03-31. Retrieved 2009-04-05 .
^
"491. Coat of arms; crest; motto and badge" . The Vermont Statutes Online . State of Vermont. Retrieved 2015-04-10 .
^
"S.2" (PDF) . Vermont Legislature . Archived from
the original (PDF) on 2015-04-16. Retrieved 2015-04-11 .
^ Thurston, Jack (10 April 2015).
"After Confusion and Controversy, Vermont Gets New Latin Motto" . NECN . Retrieved 11 April 2015 .
^
"State Symbols, Seals and Emblems" . Commonwealth of Virginia. November 12, 2008. Archived from
the original on January 15, 2009. Retrieved 2009-02-10 .
^
"Legislative Seal" . Legislature of the Virgin Islands. Archived from
the original on 2008-12-16. Retrieved 2009-02-15 .
^
a
b
"Symbols of Washington State" . Washington State Legislature. Retrieved August 16, 2018 .
^
"State Seal of West Virginia" . State of West Virginia. Retrieved 2009-02-14 .
^
"Wisconsin State Symbols" (PDF) . Wisconsin Blue Book . State of Wisconsin. Archived from
the original (PDF) on 2009-02-27. Retrieved 2009-02-14 .
^
"Great Seal" . Wyoming Secretary of State's Office. Archived from
the original on 2008-11-27. Retrieved 2009-02-14 .
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