Vermont State Motto: Freedom and Unity
Freedom and Unity
Freedom and Unity
The motto appears on the state seal of Vermont
- Motto
- Freedom and Unity
- Language
- English
- 14th State
- March 4, 1791
Vermont State Motto
Vermont's state motto is Freedom and Unity. It is a three-word English phrase that has appeared on the state seal since Vermont's early history as both an independent republic and a U.S. state.
The two words name a genuine tension in Vermont's past. Vermont fought for its freedom from both Britain and the state of New York, then chose to join the United States in 1791. The motto holds both sides of that story together.
Vermont State Motto Meaning
"Freedom" points to Vermont's independent history. Vermont declared itself a republic in 1777 and governed itself for fourteen years before joining the United States. During that time, Vermont wrote a constitution that was the first in America to ban adult slavery.
"Unity" points to Vermont's choice to join the Union. After years as the Vermont Republic, the state petitioned Congress and was admitted as the 14th state on March 4, 1791 — the first new state after the original thirteen colonies.
Together, the motto describes a state that valued its own independence but also recognized the strength of belonging to something larger. The two words do not contradict each other; they name the two commitments Vermont held at the same time.
History of Vermont's State Motto
Vermont declared independence in January 1777, during the Revolutionary War, and adopted its first constitution that July. That constitution, the Vermont Constitution of 1777, was the first in America to explicitly ban adult slavery and to grant voting rights to all free men regardless of property ownership.
Vermont governed itself as the Vermont Republic for fourteen years. Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys had established Vermont's independent identity years earlier, capturing Fort Ticonderoga from the British in May 1775 and resisting New York's land claims throughout the 1760s and 1770s.
Vermont entered the Union on March 4, 1791, as the 14th state. The motto "Freedom and Unity" has appeared on the state seal since the early statehood period. The exact year of formal legislative adoption was not confirmed in the sources used for this page.
"Freedom and Unity" on the Vermont State Seal
"Freedom and Unity" appears at the bottom of the Vermont state seal, below the main design. The seal shows a tall pine tree at the center with the Green Mountains in the background, a cow in the lower right, and sheaves of wheat in the lower left. "Vermont" appears at the top.
The seal is used on official state documents, government correspondence, and state buildings. Vermont Statutes Annotated codifies the state seal and its elements.
Vermont State Motto Facts
- Vermont's state motto is "Freedom and Unity."
- Vermont's 1777 constitution was the first in America to ban adult slavery.
- Vermont governed itself as an independent republic for fourteen years before joining the United States.
- Vermont became the 14th state on March 4, 1791 — the first new state after the original thirteen colonies.
- Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys captured Fort Ticonderoga from the British on May 10, 1775.
Can You Match All 50 State Mottos?
Some questions show the original motto — Latin, Italian, Chinook — and ask which state it belongs to. Others give you the English translation and ask you to work backward. Both directions are harder than they look.
Take the State Mottos QuizQuick Answers
What is Vermont's state motto?
What does "Freedom and Unity" mean?
Was Vermont an independent country before it became a state?
When did Vermont ban slavery?
Vermont State Symbols
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