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State mottos, translated: What your state’s official motto really means

AnyWho published a full decoding of all 50 state mottos, providing translations, origins, and thematic grouping of inscriptions on state seals and official emblems.
Long ago many mottos originated in colonial and revolutionary eras, and AnyWho compiled them to reveal histories, values, and patterns from colonial-era seals through the 50-state comparison.
A striking oddity is Ohio's winning entry was suggested by a 12‑year‑old, Alaska's was chosen by Richard Peters during the Alaska Purchase Centennial, and several mottos derive from Indigenous or foreign words like the Caddo word 'taysha' and Chinook 'Al-ki'.
Readers gain insight as state mottos reveal a patchwork of American ideals reflecting regional diversity and shared spirit, with symbols like Minnesota 'L'etoile du Nord' and Michigan's peninsular geography.
Some mottos point to contested histories, notably Kansas's slavery-related path to statehood, while grouped counts show 14 stressing liberty, 12 unity, 5 nature, 8 faith, 6 industry, and 5 resilience.

Insights by Ground AI