Pennsylvania State Motto: Virtue, Liberty and Independence
Fact-checked • Updated December 5, 2025
OFFICIAL STATE SEAL
"Virtue, Liberty and Independence"
Virtue, Liberty and Independence
About This Motto
The Pennsylvania state motto is Virtue, Liberty and Independence. You see these words on the state coat of arms and on the flag. They appear in records from the late 1770s when the Commonwealth searched for a clear civic identity. Caleb Lownes, a Philadelphia merchant, placed the motto on an early design in 1778. Pennsylvania became the second state admitted to the Union on December 12, 1787. The phrase stayed visible as the Commonwealth shaped its government after the Revolutionary War.
What the Motto Means
Virtue points to moral strength. It ties back to the Latin term virtus. Liberty highlights personal freedom and the ability to guide local affairs. Independence notes the separation from British authority in 1776. Simple words. Clear message.
Colonial officials liked direct language during the Revolutionary War. They needed wording people could grasp quickly. You can see why this set of terms worked. Short, firm, and suited to the political moment.
Historical Background
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1776-1777 - Revolutionary Transformation
Pennsylvania declared independence in 1776. A new state constitution followed that September. The Supreme Executive Council replaced the colonial governor. Leaders wanted updated imagery, so older emblems tied to William Penn faded from official use.
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1778 - First Appearance
Caleb Lownes prepared an early coat of arms in 1778. His version showed a shield with a ship, a plow, and sheaves of wheat supported by black horses. He placed Virtue, Liberty and Independence on a ribbon beneath the design. You find this layout on state paper money printed during the war.
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1778-1873 - Years of Variation
Designs shifted during the next ninety-five years. Artists changed the horses, added details, or removed them. A few prints featured white horses while others kept the darker pair. No single pattern held across all government uses.
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1874-1875 - Official Adoption
A legislative commission reviewed earlier artwork in 1874. It compared many versions and settled on a single model in 1875. Their final choice closely matched the style Lownes introduced in 1778. That decision set Virtue, Liberty and Independence as the official state motto.
Where You See It Today
People in Pennsylvania see the motto often. It appears on government letters, state office signs, and the state flag. Step inside the Capitol in Harrisburg and you notice it in several halls. The coat of arms sits above entrances and on display panels.
A commemorative quarter issued in 1999 includes the motto near the Commonwealth statue and a keystone. The Great Seal also features the full coat of arms with the words on a ribbon below it. You can spot the motto on school materials, tourism guides, and welcome signs.
Interesting Facts About the Motto
Fact 1 of 8
Pennsylvania is one of four states with an English motto rather than a Latin or foreign-language version.
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 educational resource about Pennsylvania's state symbols. • Accessed: December 31, 2025
Background information on the state seal, motto placement, and historical usage. • Accessed: December 31, 2025
Overview of the coat of arms design, including the ribbon displaying the motto. • Accessed: December 31, 2025
Details about the 1999 Pennsylvania quarter featuring the motto. • Accessed: December 31, 2025
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