U.S. State Mottos

[IceWizard]

#41

South Dakota:
Under God the People Rule

The original design of South Dakota’s state seal, along with the motto, “Under God the People Rule,”
dates back to 1885. The use of the word God has been the source of controversy that has,
at least for now, been settled in favor of keeping the motto as it is. And this may come in
handy at a pub quiz some day: South Dakota is the only state that also has a motto to go
with its state flower (the American pasque). Since 1903, state law has required the floral emblem
to appear with the motto “I Lead.”





#42

Tennessee:
Agriculture and Commerce

Tennessee’s motto has been “Agriculture and Commerce” since 1801, according to the
Tennessee State Statistician, but it wasn’t officially adopted until 1987. Prior to that,
the words agriculture and commerce simply appeared on the state’s seal,
reflecting Tennessee’s two major industries.




#43

Texas:
Friendship

Adopted by the Legislature of the State of Texas in 1930, this one-word motto is a
literal take on the state’s name. Texas is the American spelling of the Spanish pronunciation
of the Caddo Indian word that means friends or allies.




#44

Utah:
Industry

Although it wasn’t until 1959 that “Industry” officially became Utah’s official state motto,
it was the unofficial motto for years and has appeared on the state seal since 1896,
according to the Utah State Library. “Industry is associated with the [state] symbol of the beehive,”
the site explains. “The early pioneers had few material resources at their disposal
and therefore had to rely on their own ‘industry’ to survive.”





#45

Vermont:
Stella Quarta Decima Fulgeat

Until 1915, Vermont’s motto was: “Freedom and Unity.” And for many in Vermont,
that old motto is the only motto. The idea for changing the motto to a Latin phrase
came from 15-year-old Angela Kubicke, whose teacher encouraged her to write to
her state representative with the idea. Its meaning? “May the 14th star shine bright,”
which refers to Vermont being the 14th state to join the Union (in 1791).






#46

Virginia:
Sic Semper Tyrannis

Translation: “Thus always to tyrants.” It was first associated with the stabbing of Julius Caesar
on March 15, 44 BC, but came to be associated with America’s victory over Great Britain in
the American Revolution. Virginia adopted it as its official state motto around this time, in 1776.
Incidentally, this phrase was later also linked to the assassination of Abraham Lincoln in 1865,
when John Wilkes Booth reportedly shouted it after shooting Lincoln at Ford’s Theatre.





#47

Washington:
Al-ki

Washington doesn’t have an official state motto today, but it had one way back when it was
just a territory. “Al-ki” or “Alki” (since it’s spelled phonetically, there’s no “correct” spelling)
means “bye and bye,” which was colloquial in the 1850s for “into the future.”






#48

West Virginia:
Montani Semper Liberi

“Mountaineers are always free” is the translation of this West Virginia motto, adopted in 1872.
It’s believed to have been suggested by Joseph H. Diss Debar, a highly educated Frenchman
who was one of West Virginia’s most illustrious historical figures.





#49

Wisconsin:
Forward

Wisconsin’s motto reflects Wisconsin’s continuous drive to be a national leader,
explains the Wisconsin Historical Society. It was adopted in 1851. Today, Wisconsin
is leading the way with a forward-looking law that helps ensure you won’t get “catfished.”
Now at least a dozen more states are considering similar legislation.







#50

Wyoming:
Equal Rights

Wyoming was the first state to grant all women the right to vote, serve on juries,
and hold public office. That was way back in 1869, believe it or not. Proud of their
progressiveness, they subsequently adopted “Equal Rights” as a motto. Wyoming
was so synonymous with women’s suffrage at one point in history that Susan B. Anthony
issued a call (largely unheeded) for women to migrate to Wyoming en masse.