List of U.S. State Mottos

Twenty-two states use English mottos, often with direct, powerful messages. New Hampshire's 'Live Free or Die' — written by Revolutionary War General John Stark in 1809 — is arguably the most famous state motto in America. It captures the defiant spirit of New England and appears on every New Hampshire license plate.

Kentucky's 'United We Stand, Divided We Fall' comes from 'The Liberty Song' by John Dickinson (1768), one of the first patriotic songs of the American colonies. North Dakota has the longest English motto: 'Liberty and Union, Now and Forever, One and Inseparable' — a quote from Daniel Webster's famous 1830 Senate speech defending the Constitution.

Some English mottos are remarkably short and practical. Rhode Island's 'Hope' is just one word — the shortest state motto. Utah's 'Industry' reflects the hardworking values of its Mormon settlers. Wisconsin's 'Forward' was adopted in 1851 after the Latin 'Excelsior' (which New York already used) was rejected. Texas's 'Friendship' comes from the Caddo word 'tejas,' which is the origin of the state's name.

Several states chose mottos in languages other than English or Latin, reflecting their unique cultural heritage. Hawaii's 'Ua mau ke ea o ka āina i ka pono' (The Life of the Land Is Perpetuated in Righteousness) is in Hawaiian and was first spoken by King Kamehameha III in 1843 when British Admiral Richard Thomas restored Hawaiian sovereignty after a brief unauthorized British occupation.

Minnesota's 'L'Étoile du Nord' (The Star of the North) is the only French state motto, reflecting the French explorers and fur traders who were among the first Europeans in the region. Montana's 'Oro y Plata' (Gold and Silver) is the only Spanish motto and references the precious metals that drew miners to the territory.

Maryland's 'Fatti maschii, parole femine' is the only Italian state motto. Traditionally translated as 'Manly Deeds, Womanly Words,' it comes from the Calvert family (Lords Baltimore) coat of arms. In 2017, the Maryland legislature updated the official translation to 'Strong Deeds, Gentle Words' to better reflect modern values. Washington's 'Al-ki' is from Chinook Jargon, meaning 'By and By' — it's the only state motto in a Native American trade language and the only fully unofficial state motto.

Liberty and freedom are by far the most common themes. At least 12 states reference liberty, freedom, rights, or independence in their mottos, including New Hampshire ('Live Free or Die'), Pennsylvania ('Virtue, Liberty, and Independence'), Iowa ('Our Liberties We Prize and Our Rights We Will Maintain'), and West Virginia ('Mountaineers Are Always Free'). This reflects America's founding principles.

Five states explicitly reference God or divine providence: Arizona ('God Enriches'), Colorado ('Nothing Without the Deity'), Florida ('In God We Trust'), Ohio ('With God, All Things Are Possible'), and South Dakota ('Under God the People Rule'). Florida adopted 'In God We Trust' in 2006 — the same phrase as the national motto.

Other common themes include unity and solidarity (Kentucky, Illinois, North Dakota), the people's sovereignty (Arkansas, Missouri, South Dakota), hope and aspiration (Kansas, Rhode Island, South Carolina), and industry or labor (Oklahoma, Utah, Tennessee). A few mottos highlight geographic identity: Michigan's refers to its peninsulas, West Virginia's celebrates its mountains, and Minnesota's French motto marks its position as the northernmost state in the Lower 48.

New Hampshire's 'Live Free or Die' is the most recognized state motto in the country. General John Stark wrote those four words in an 1809 letter — he was too ill to attend a reunion of his Revolutionary War companions and sent the phrase as a toast instead. New Hampshire made it the official motto in 1945. It has appeared on every New Hampshire license plate since 1971, making it one of the few state mottos most Americans have actually read.

Virginia's 'Sic semper tyrannis' (Thus Always to Tyrants) gained historical notoriety because John Wilkes Booth reportedly shouted it after shooting President Abraham Lincoln in 1865. Despite this dark association, the motto dates to 1776 and represents Virginia's commitment to opposing tyranny. It appears on the state seal alongside an image of Virtue defeating a tyrant.

California's 'Eureka' (I Have Found It) is one of the most recognizable single-word mottos, directly tied to the 1848 Gold Rush discovery at Sutter's Mill. Kansas's 'Ad astra per aspera' (To the Stars Through Difficulties) has inspired countless graduation speeches, organizational mottos, and even NASA mission patches. South Carolina's 'Dum spiro spero' (While I Breathe, I Hope) is frequently quoted for its universal message of resilience.

Most state mottos were established during statehood or shortly after, often as part of the state seal design. Connecticut's motto dates to its 1662 colonial charter — the oldest still in use among the states. Rhode Island's 'Hope' also traces to the colonial era (1664). Many early mottos were chosen by the committees that designed state seals, without a separate legislative vote.

Several states have changed or updated their mottos over time. Arkansas changed 'Regnant populi' to 'Regnat populus' in 1907 to correct a Latin grammar error. Oregon switched from 'Alis volat propriis' to 'The Union' in 1957, then back to the original Latin in 1987. Florida made 'In God We Trust' its official motto in 2006, elevating a phrase that had appeared on the state seal since 1868.

Kentucky is one of the few states to add a second motto in modern times: 'Deo gratiam habeamus' (Let Us Be Grateful to God) was adopted in 2002 alongside the original 'United We Stand, Divided We Fall.' North Dakota and Vermont also maintain two mottos — one English, one Latin. South Carolina has two Latin mottos: 'Dum spiro spero' and 'Animis opibusque parati' (Ready in Soul and Resource). For more official state symbols chosen through a similarly rich history, explore the alphabetical list of state flowers for all 50 states.