The state motto of Kansas is “Ad astra per aspera,” which is Latin for “Through hardships to the stars.” Adopted in 1861, this motto reflects the state’s historical struggles and its determination to overcome challenges. It encapsulates the pioneering spirit and resilience of the people of Kansas, emphasizing their pursuit of lofty goals despite facing adversities. The phrase is a testament to the optimism and perseverance that have been integral to the state’s identity throughout its history.
Iowa’s state motto is Our Liberties We Prize And Our Rights We Will Maintain. The first Iowa General Assembly adopted it in 1847, just 58 days after Iowa achieved statehood. At 53 characters, it is the longest state motto in the United States.
The motto appears on the Great Seal of Iowa, carried on a scroll by the bald eagle at the top of the seal’s design. It also appears on the Iowa state flag, designed by Dixie Cornell Gebhardt in 1921. Iowa is one of the few states whose motto is clearly visible on both the seal and the flag.
The motto divides into two parallel statements joined by And. The first half — Our Liberties We Prize — is a declaration of value: Iowa’s citizens hold their civil liberties dear. The second half — Our Rights We Will Maintain — is a declaration of commitment: those rights will be defended. Prize and Maintain are carefully chosen words. To prize something is to hold it in high regard; to maintain it is to actively keep it intact.
The phrase is written in the first person plural. It is not a statement about abstract ideals or distant government. It is a statement from the people of Iowa about what they themselves value and intend to protect. For a state founded on the frontier in 1846, that directness was deliberate.
The word rights carried specific weight in 1847. Iowa entered the Union as a free state, and the question of what rights citizens could claim and defend was central to American political life in the years leading to the Civil War. The motto’s language is assertive rather than decorative.
The Indiana state motto was adopted in 1937. The Indiana Department of Administration explains the meaning behind the Indiana motto as such:
“‘The Crossroads of America’ signifies the importance of waterways, railroads, highways and other transportation facilities in the state, viewed by many as some of the finest in the nation.”
The importance Indiana puts on paths of transportation has roots all the way back to the early 1800s when the major cross state Cumberland Road (today US Route 40) was built.
The official state motto of Illinois is “State Sovereignty, National Union.”
This motto was controversial after the Civil War when national unity was of prime importance. However, the Illinois legislature commanded that the motto remain the same, but the new design for the state seal and flag positioned the scroll so that “National Unity” is at the top. It remains unchanged and appears on the Illinois state seal and state flag.
This Idaho state motto is Latin for “It is Perpetual”. The Idaho motto was adopted in 1891 as an element of the state seal.
The Idaho motto has its roots in a sentence made by Pietro Sarpi (1522-1623) a Venetian theologian and mathematician. His last words before he died were: “Esto perpetua”, meaning: “Mayest thou (Venice) endure forever”.
The editor of the 1920, “History of Idaho: The Gem of the Mountains”, James H. Hawley says:
“Miss Emma Edwards of Boise, now Mrs. Emma Edwards-Greene, who designed the State seal, says that the words Esto Perpetual ‘breathe the prayer that the bounty and blessing of this land may forever benefit its people.’”
Emma Edwards-Greene translated the Idaho state motto as “It is perpetuated” or “It is forever”.
The state seal of Hawaii features the official state motto: “Ua Mau ke Ea o ka ‘Āina i ka Pono;” native Hawaiian translating as “The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness” (Hawaiian is also officially recognized as the state’s native language).
Hawaii’s state motto is also featured on the U.S. Mint’s commemorative quarter for Hawaii.
The southern state of Georgia, nicknamed “The Peach State,” has more than one motto, though one is much more accepted than the other. Many believe the state motto of Georgia is “Wisdom, Justice, Moderation,” since that straightforward message appears on the side of the state’s two-sided state seal, which has remained unchanged since 1799. The other side of the seal, though, has the inscription “Agriculture and Commerce,” offering a choice of mottoes.
When early state legislators approved Georgia’s two-sided seal on 8 February 1799, succinct instructions were laid out regarding its appearance. The front of the seal depicts a three-columned structure holding up the state’s “Constitution.” Each pillar is decorated with a banner: “Wisdom,” “Justice” and “Moderation.” The three pillars also represent the three established branches of state and federal government — the legislative, judicial and executive branches, respectively.
Historians point to Plato as the source of the chief state motto of Georgia. The Greek philosopher wrote in Republic that these pillars, along with “Courage,” form the basic construction of civilized government. Though courage is not represented by a pillar or by name, a single armed soldier, standing at attention between “Justice” and “Moderation” is said to represent this other quality.
The other side of the seal, however, boldly proclaims “Agriculture and Commerce” around the perimeter. For this reason, many believe this is another of Georgia’s mottoes, even though Tennessee has chosen this for its official motto. At the center of this proclamation on the back of the seal is a picture depicting a tall ship bearing a U.S. flag and two smaller expedition boats, with a farmer and distant lumberyard beside them.
No official state motto of Georgia was actually selected, however. In fact, just a few dozen states have an official motto. The only change that has occurred to Georgia’s state seal since 1799 was in 1914, when legislators changed the date on both sides of the seal to read “1776” — the year of American independence. Until then, the seal read “1799,” for when the state joined the union.
“In God We Trust” was adopted by the Florida legislature as part of the state seal in 1868. This is also the motto of the United States and is a slight variation on Florida’s first state motto, “In God is our Trust.” In 2006, “In God We Trust” was officially designated in state statute as Florida’s motto.
The Delaware state motto was formed in 1783 by the Society of the Cincinnati. It was adopted in the year of 1847 and it appears on both the state flag and state seal.
The underlying message inherent in the state motto refers to Delaware’s prominent role in United States’ great fight for independence and struggle for freedom.
In 1847 the Delaware motto was added to the seal “… as an expression of the ideals of American government…”.
In this way “Liberty and Independence” became a cultural expression of Delaware’s patriotic identity. The patriotic message of the Delaware state motto is very typical of American state mottos in general.
The motto “Qui Transtulit Sustinet,” (He Who Transplanted Still Sustains), has been associated with the various versions of the seal from the creation of the Saybrook Colony Seal. While the origin of the motto is uncertain, the late Charles J. Hoadly, a former State Librarian, suggested in an article entitled “The Public Seal of Connecticut,” which appeared in the 1889 edition of the Connecticut State Register and Manual, that we look to the 80th Psalm as a possible source. “Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt: thou hast cast out the heathen, and planted it.”
Sew Colorful 