united states—e pluribus unum, “out of many, one.”
alabama—has no motto. name, from its principal river, means “here we rest,” and denotes the satisfaction of the indians with its agreeable landscape and climate.
arkansas—regnant populi—“the people rule.” has the indian name of its river. is called the “bear state.”
california—eureka, her greek motto, means “i have found it.” derives her name from the bay forming the peninsula of lower california.
colorado—latin motto, nil sine numine, means “nothing can be done without divine aid.” named from the river.
connecticut—qui transtulit sustinet, “he who brought us over sustains us.” name from her river, which means, in the indian tongue, “the long river.” is called the “nutmeg state.”
delaware—motto, liberty and independence. was named from lord delaware, an english statesman. is called “the blue hen.”
florida—motto, “in god is our trust.” name from the abundance of flowers when discovered, on easter sunday. in spanish florida means flowery.
georgia—motto, “wisdom, justice and moderation.” named from george ii, king of england when it was settled.
illinois—motto, “state sovereignty, national union.” name derived from an indian tribe, also applied by them to lake michigan and her largest inland river. means “we are the men.” is called the “sucker state.”
indiana—has no motto. name suggested by its numerous indian population. it is called the “hoosier state.”
iowa—motto, “our liberties we prize, our rights we will maintain.” its indian name means “this is the land.” is called the “hawk eye state.”
kansas—motto, ad astra per aspera, “to the stars through difficulties.” name means “smoky water,” and is derived from one of her rivers.
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kentucky—motto, “united we stand, divided we fall.” bears the indian name of one of her rivers. the indians termed it the “dark and bloody ground.” it was the battle field of northern and southern indians. is called the “blue grass state.”
louisiana—motto, “union and confidence.” named from louis xiv, king of france. it is called “the creole state.”
maine—latin motto, dirigo, “i direct;” indicative of sovereignty. was named for a province of france. is called “the pine tree state.”
maryland—latin motto, crescite et multiplicamini, “increase and multiply.” name from the queen of england, the wife of charles i.
massachusetts—latin motto, ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem, “by the sword she seeks placid rest in liberty,” or “conquers a peace.” the name was acquired from an indian tribe and the bay on her coast. is called the “bay state” from her numerous bays.
michigan—latin motto, tuebor, and, si qu?ris peninsulam am?nam circumspice. “i will defend.” “if you seek a pleasant peninsula, look around you.” the name is derived from two indian words meaning “great lake,” by them applied to huron and michigan lakes. is called “the wolverine state.”
minnesota—french motto, l’etoile du nord, “the star of the north.” the name, meaning whitish water, (foam of the falls,) is derived from the indians.
missouri—latin motto, salus populi suprema lex esto, “let the welfare of the people be the supreme law.” named from her great river. it means “muddy water.”
mississippi—has no motto. it is named from the river, whose name signifies “the father of waters.”
nebraska—motto, “equality before the law.” its name is derived from one of its rivers, meaning “broad and shallow, or low.”
new hampshire—has no motto. it is named from a[533] county in england. familiar name is “the old granite state.”
new jersey—motto, “liberty and independence.” named for the island of jersey on the coast of england.
new york—latin motto, excelsior, “higher.” named from the duke of york. is called “the empire state.”
north carolina—has no motto. it was named for charles ix, king of france. it is called “the old north,” or “the turpentine state.”
nevada—latin motto, volens et potens, “willing and able.” it was named from its mountains. spanish name means “snowy.”
ohio—latin motto, imperium in imperio, “an empire in an empire.” it took its name from the river on its south boundary. it is familiarly called “the buckeye state.”
oregon—latin motto, alis volat propriis, “she flies with her own wings.” name is derived from her principal river.
pennsylvania—motto, “virtue, liberty and independence.” named from wm. penn, “penn’s woods.” is called the “keystone state.”
rhode island—her motto is “hope.” named from the island of rhodes, in the mediterranean sea. is familiarly called “little rhody.”
south carolina—latin motto, animis opibusque parati, “ready in will and deed.” has the latin name of charles ix, of france (carolus). is known as the “palmetto state.”
tennessee—motto, “agriculture, commerce.” has the indian name of one of her rivers. she is called “the big bend state.”
texas—has no motto. has preserved its mexican name. is called “the lone star state.”
vermont—motto, “freedom and unity.” has the french name of her mountains (verd mont, “green mountains”).
virginia—latin motto, sic semper tyrannis, “so always with tyrants.” was named from elizabeth of england, the “virgin” queen. it is called “the old dominion.”
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west virginia—latin motto, montani semper liberi, “mountaineers are always free.” retained the former name, when divided from virginia.
wisconsin—latin motto, civilitas successit barbarum, “the civilized man succeeds the barbarous.” has the indian name of one of her rivers. it is called “the badger state.”
