List of U.S. state and territory mottos

File:Seal of California.svg

Eureka, the motto of California on its state seal

File:Seal of Colorado.svg

Nil sine numine, the motto of Colorado on its state seal

File:2008 HI Proof.png

Ua Mau ke Ea o ka ʻĀina i ka Pono, the motto of Hawaii on its state quarter

File:2002 IN Proof.png

Crossroads of America, the motto of Indiana on its state quarter

File:Great Seal of the State of Kansas Colored.svg

Ad astra per aspera, the motto of Kansas on its state seal

File:2000 NH Proof.png

Live Free or Die, the motto of New Hampshire on its state quarter

File:Seal of Oklahoma.svg

Labor omnia vincit, the motto of Oklahoma on its state seal

File:Seal of South Carolina.svg

South Carolina has two state mottos on its state seal

File:2001 VT Proof.png

Freedom and Unity, the motto of Vermont on its state quarter

File:Seal of Missouri.svg

Salus populi suprema lex esto, the motto of Missouri on its state seal

All of the United States' 50 states have a state motto, as do the District of Columbia and 3 of its territories. A motto is a phrase intended to formally describe the general motivation or intention of an organization. State mottos can sometimes be found on state seals or state flags. Some states have officially designated a state motto by an act of the state legislature, whereas other states have the motto only as an element of their seals. The motto of the United States itself is In God We Trust, proclaimed by Congress and signed into law by President Dwight D. Eisenhower on July 30, 1956.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The motto "{{#invoke:Lang|lang}}" (Latin for 'out of many, one') was approved for use on the Great Seal of the United States in 1782, but was never adopted as the national motto through legislative action.

South Carolina has two official mottos, both which are in Latin.<ref name=SC/> Kentucky, North Dakota, and Vermont also have two mottos, one in Latin and the other in English.<ref name="KY"/><ref name="ND">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> All other states and territories have only one motto, except for Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, which do not have any mottos.<ref name="Shearer">Template:Cite book</ref> English and Latin are the most-used languages for state mottos, each used by 25 states and territories. Seven states and territories use another language, of which each language is only used once. Eight states and two territories have their mottos on their state quarter; thirty-eight states and four territories have their mottos on their state seals.

The dates given are, where possible, the earliest date that the motto was used in an official sense. Some state mottos are not official but are on the official state seal; in these cases the adoption date of the seal is given. The earliest use of a current motto is that of Puerto Rico, {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}, granted to the island by the Spanish in 1511.<ref name=PR/>

State, federal district and territory mottos

Jurisdiction	Motto	English translation	Language	Date	Template:Reference heading
Alabama	lang}}	We dare defend our rights	Latin	Template:Dts	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Alaska	North to the Future	Template:N/a	English	Template:Dts	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
American Samoa	lang}}	Samoa, let Atua be first	Samoan	Template:Dts	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Arizona	lang}}	God enriches	Latin	Template:Dts	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Arkansas	lang}}<ref group="N">The motto was originally designated as {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} in 1864. It was changed to {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} in 1907.<ref name=AR/></ref>	The people rule	Latin	Template:Dts	<ref name=AR>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
California	Eureka ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})	I have found it	Greek	Template:Dts<ref group="N">Eureka first appeared on the state seal in 1849. It was designated the official motto in 1963.<ref name=CA/></ref>	<ref name=CA>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Colorado	lang}}	Nothing without providence	Latin	Template:Dts	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Connecticut	lang}}	He who transplanted still sustains	Latin	Template:Dts	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Delaware	Liberty and Independence	Template:N/a	English	Template:Dts	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
District of Columbia	lang}}	Justice for all	Latin	Template:Dts	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Florida	In God We Trust	Template:N/a	English	Template:Dts<ref group="N">"In God We Trust" first appeared on the state seal in 1868. It was designated the official motto in 2006.<ref name="FL"/></ref>	<ref name=FL>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Georgia	Wisdom, Justice, Moderation<ref group="N">Georgia never officially adopted a state motto; the words wisdom, justice, and moderation come from its state seal.<ref name="GA"/></ref>	Template:N/a	English	Template:Dts	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=GA>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Guam	Template:N/a	Template:N/a	Template:N/a	Template:N/a	<ref name="Shearer"/>
Hawaiʻi	lang}}	The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness/*The sovereignty of the land is perpetuated in righteousness When first said by King Kamehameha (Kauikeaouli) in July 1843. It originally meant "The sovereignty of the land is perpetuated in righteousness." The State of Hawaiʻi letter translate the saying as "The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness." In Hawaiian, Ea means life and also sovereignty, leading to this slight difference in translation.	Hawaiian	Template:Dts<ref group="N">The motto of Hawaiʻi was first used by King Kamehameha III in 1843, after his restoration. In May 1845 it first appeared on the coat of arms of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi. It was made the official motto of the State of Hawaiʻi on May 1, 1959.<ref name=HI/></ref>	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=HI>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Idaho	lang}}	Let it be perpetual	Latin	Template:Dts	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Illinois	State sovereignty, national union	Template:N/a	English	Template:Dts	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Indiana	Crossroads of America	Template:N/a	English	Template:Dts	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Iowa	Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain	Template:N/a	English	Template:Dts	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Kansas	lang}}	To the stars through difficulties	Latin	Template:Dts	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Kentucky	United we stand, divided we fall	Template:N/a	English	Template:Dts	<ref name="KY">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	lang}}	Let us be grateful to God	Latin	2002	<ref name="KY2">The Latin motto was adopted by HB 857 Template:Webarchive and is defined by KRS 2.105 Template:Webarchive.</ref>
Louisiana	Union, justice, confidence	Template:N/a	English	Template:Dts	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Maine	lang}}	I lead	Latin	Template:Dts	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Maryland	lang}}	Strong deeds, gentle words	Italian	Template:Dts	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Massachusetts	lang}}	By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty	Latin	Template:Dts	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Michigan	lang}}	If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you	Latin	Template:Dts	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Minnesota	lang}}<ref group="N">The unofficial motto of the Minnesota Territory was {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}, I long to see what is beyond, chosen in 1849.<ref name=MN/></ref>	The star of the North	French	Template:Dts	<ref name=MN>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Mississippi	lang}}	By valor and arms	Latin	Template:Dts	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Missouri	lang}}	Let the welfare of the people be the supreme law	Latin	Template:Dts	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Montana	lang}}	Gold and silver	Spanish	Template:Dts	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Nebraska	Equality before the law	Template:N/a	English	Template:Dts	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Nevada	All For Our Country<ref group="N">The unofficial motto of the Nevada Territory was {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}, 'willing and able', which was on the territorial seal approved on November 29, 1861. This was changed to the current motto after statehood.<ref name=NV/></ref>	Template:N/a	English	Template:Dts	<ref name=NV>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
New Hampshire	Live Free or Die	Template:N/a	English	Template:Dts	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
New Jersey	Liberty and prosperity	Template:N/a	English	Template:Dts	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
New Mexico	lang}}	It grows as it goes	Latin	Template:Dts<ref group="N">{{#invoke:Lang|lang}} was added to the territorial seal in 1882. This change was officially adopted by the legislature in 1887.<ref name=NM/></ref>	<ref name=NM>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
New York	lang}}	Ever upward	Latin	Template:Dts	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
North Carolina	lang}}	To be, rather than to seem	Latin	Template:Dts	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
North Dakota	Liberty and union, now and forever, one and inseparable	Template:N/a	English	Template:Dts	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Kingsbury, George. History of Dakota Territory (1915). Retrieved from the Internet Archive 12 May 2014.</ref>
	lang}}	One sows for the benefit of another age	Latin	Template:Dts	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Northern Mariana Islands	Template:N/a	Template:N/a	Template:N/a	Template:N/a	<ref name="Shearer"/>
Ohio	With God, all things are possible<ref group="N">From 1866 to 1868, the motto {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} (Latin for 'Empire within an Empire') appeared on the state seal.<ref name="OH"/></ref>	Template:N/a	English	Template:Dts	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=OH>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Oklahoma	lang}}	Labor conquers all things	Latin	Template:Dts<ref group="N">{{#invoke:Lang|lang}} was on the territorial seal of 1893.<ref name="OK"/></ref> <ref group="N">It was specified as a feature of the seal in the 1907 State Constitution.<ref name="OK2"/></ref>	<ref>Template:Cite encyclopedia</ref><ref name=OK>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=OK2>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Oregon	lang}}	She flies with her own wings	Latin	Template:Dts<ref group="N">The motto of Oregon was "The Union" from 1957 until 1987, when the original 1854 motto of {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} was restored. "The Union" is still present on the official state seal and flag.<ref name=OR/></ref>	<ref name=OR>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Pennsylvania	Virtue, liberty, and independence	Template:N/a	English	Template:Dts	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Puerto Rico	lang}}	John is his name	Latin	Template:Dts<ref group="N">The Spanish Crown gave Puerto Rico its coat of arms in 1511. The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico officially adopted it on March 9, 1905.<ref name=PR/></ref>	<ref name=PR>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Rhode Island	Hope	Template:N/a	English	Template:Dts	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
South Carolina	lang}}	While I breathe, I hope	Latin	Template:Dts	<ref name=SC>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	lang}}	Ready in soul and resource	Latin
South Dakota	Under God the people rule	Template:N/a	English	Template:Dts	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Tennessee	Agriculture and Commerce	Template:N/a	English	Template:Dts<ref group="N">The words agriculture and commerce appeared on the first state seal of 1802. "Agriculture and Commerce" was made the official state motto in 1987.<ref name=TN/></ref>	<ref name=TN>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Texas	Friendship	Template:N/a	English	Template:Dts	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Utah	Industry	Template:N/a	English	Template:Dts<ref group="N">Industry first appeared on the state seal of 1896. It was designated the official motto on March 4, 1959.<ref name="UT"/></ref>	<ref name=UT>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Vermont	Freedom and Unity	Template:N/a	English	Template:Dts	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	lang}}	May the fourteenth star shine bright	Latin	Template:Dts	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Virginia	lang}}	Thus always to tyrants	Latin	Template:Dts	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
U.S. Virgin Islands	United in Pride and Hope	Template:N/a	English	Template:Dts	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Washington	lang}} or {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} (Unofficial)<ref group="N">The motto of Washington is the only one to be fully unofficial. It is neither on the seal nor designated by the state legislature, but was present on the territorial seal.<ref name="WA"/></ref>	By and by	Chinook Jargon	Template:N/a	<ref name="WA">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
West Virginia	lang}}	Mountaineers are always free	Latin	Template:Dts	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Wisconsin	Forward	Template:N/a	English	Template:Dts	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Wyoming	Equal Rights	Template:N/a	English	Template:Dts	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>

See also

• List of national mottos
• List of U.S. state nicknames
• List of U.S. state tourism slogans
• United States national motto

External links

• Mottoes of the 50 States from Netstate.com
• State mottos from State Symbols USA