Delaware State Motto: Liberty and Independence
Fact-checked • Updated December 1, 2025
OFFICIAL STATE SEAL
"Liberty and Independence"
Liberty and Independence
About This Motto
Delaware's state motto is Liberty and Independence. The phrase appeared on Delaware's Great Seal in 1847. Society of the Cincinnati provided the words to state officials.
What the Motto Means
Liberty and Independence. Both words point to freedom. Liberty means freedom from control. Independence means standing on your own. Delaware needed both after breaking from Great Britain.
Why these two words? Delaware ratified the Constitution first on December 7, 1787. Sixty years later, officials added this motto to the state seal. Society of the Cincinnati suggested it.
Simple phrasing worked. No fancy Latin. English matched Delaware's practical character. Two concepts fit together. Freedom from others plus self-governance covered what the Revolutionary War achieved.
Historical Background
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Original Great Seal (1777)
Delaware adopted its Great Seal on January 17, 1777. Farmer and rifleman supported a shield with wheat, corn, and an ox. Ship sailed above. No motto appeared yet.
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1793 Changes
Legislature removed farmer and rifleman figures from the seal in 1793. Records don't explain why. Shield elements remained—wheat sheaf, corn ear, ox, blue stripe representing Delaware River.
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Society of the Cincinnati
Continental Army officers formed this organization in May 1783. George Washington served as first President General from December 1783 until his death in 1799. Officers wanted to preserve Revolutionary War memory.
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1847 Restoration and Motto Addition
Delaware restored farmer and rifleman to the seal in 1847. Society of the Cincinnati provided Liberty and Independence as motto text. Legislature added it on a ribbon beneath the shield. Officials called it an expression of American government ideals.
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Later Modifications
1907 update changed inscription from 'THE DELAWARE STATE' to 'THE STATE OF DELAWARE.' 2004 revision replaced seal modification dates with historical event dates: 1704 (General Assembly established), 1776 (Separation Day), 1787 (Constitution ratification).
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Delaware Society of the Cincinnati
Delaware had original members in the Society. Several Continental officers from Delaware signed the Institution document. Delaware Society dissolved in 1802 and divided assets among members.
Meaning & Significance Today
First State status matters here. Delaware ratified the Constitution before any other state. Liberty and Independence connects to that priority position. Breaking from Britain came first, then building self-government.
You find it everywhere now. Driver's licenses, government documents, official buildings. Most people ignore the ribbon text under the shield. Familiarity breeds invisibility.
Delaware fought for both concepts during 1775-1783. British rule ended. American self-government started. Two achievements, two words. That's the connection modern residents see.
Cultural Context in Delaware
Revolutionary War Role
Delaware sent Continental Line regiments to fight. John Haslet led Delaware Regiment at several battles. Caesar Rodney rode from Dover to Philadelphia in July 1776 to vote for independence despite illness.
First State Achievement
December 7, 1787 changed Delaware's identity. Constitution ratification vote passed unanimously. Delaware earned permanent 'First State' distinction. Pride in that timing influenced 1847 motto choice.
1847 Context
Sixty years after Constitution ratification, veterans of 1783 were dying. Society of the Cincinnati wanted Revolutionary ideals remembered. Adding motto to state seal served that goal.
Great Seal Elements
Wheat sheaf came from Sussex County seal. Corn ear derived from Kent County seal. Blue wavy stripe represents Delaware River. Ox shows animal husbandry importance. Farmer holds hilling hoe. Rifleman carries musket. Ship under sail tops the design.
State Symbols Integration
Motto appears on state flag as well. Colonial blue and buff colors frame coat of arms. December 7, 1787 date inscribed underneath. Flag design adopted 1913.
Current Law
Delaware Code, Title 29, Chapter 3, Section 301 describes the Great Seal. Liberty and Independence appears as required text. Legal description specifies 'the words Liberty and Independence engraved thereon.' No separate motto statute exists.
Interesting Facts About the Motto
Fact 1 of 10
Delaware chose English over Latin for its motto, unlike many other states.
Sources & References
This article has been researched using authoritative sources to ensure accuracy and reliability. All information has been fact-checked and verified against official government records.
Official Delaware statute describing the Great Seal including motto. • Accessed: December 31, 2025
Official state information about Delaware symbols and history. • Accessed: December 31, 2025
Comprehensive information on Delaware state motto history. • Accessed: December 31, 2025
Historical context for Delaware motto adoption and seal changes. • Accessed: December 31, 2025
Information about the Revolutionary War officers organization that provided Delaware's motto. • Accessed: December 31, 2025
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