The Messages Sent Before You Even Enter
Every state boasts its motto or slogan to any newcomers, and while some welcome you with open arms, others get slapped onto tchotchkes without really saying much of anything. We figured it was high time ot explore which states leave a great lasting impression, and which ones disappoint right out of the gate!
1. New Hampshire: "Live Free or Die"
Alright, this one sounds a little intense, but New Hampshire has proudly leaned into this one since 1945. Who could blame them? It comes from a toast made by Revolutionary War General John Stark, and the state has fully committed to the spirit of it.
2. Alaska: "North to the Future"
Alaska's slogan captures something genuinely exciting about the state—the idea that it represents untapped possibility. It emerged in 1967 and frames the Last Frontier as a place where things are still being figured out in the best possible way. And for such a massive state, that optimism feels completely earned.
3. Oregon: "She Flies With Her Own Wings"
Oregon's motto has been around since 1854, and it's aged remarkably well for a state that's always prided itself on doing things its own way. The more you read it, the more you recognize that there's an independence to it. It's poetic without being pretentious, which isn’t easy to pull off.
4. Delaware: "Liberty and Independence"
Delaware, the first state to ratify the Constitution, has a rich and genuinely important history, so it's only fair they boast about it. Sure, "Liberty and Independence" could technically apply to every state, but those with a little insight into their country know who really owns the badge.
5. Wyoming: "Equal Rights"
You love to see it! Wyoming was the first state to grant women the right to vote back in 1869, and it wears that legacy on its sleeve even today. It's bold in its simplicity, but it also says a lot without all that flowery language. For a state often associated with ruggedness and ranchlands, this motto adds an admirable tack onto its identity.
6. Maryland: "Manly Deeds, Womanly Words"
Try not to let this motto bump you; Maryland's words are some of the oldest in the country, translated from the Latin "Fatti Maschii, Parole Femine." It dates back to the Lords Baltimore in the 1600s, and historians implore you not to read it literally, but to interpret it as actions should be strong while words should be gentle.
7. Missouri: "Show Me"
Well, that’s a little on the nose—and that’s exactly why we love it! While the technical slogan is “Let the Welfare of the People Be the Supreme Law,” Missouri's unofficial motto is a masterclass in understated confidence. It basically says that its residents aren't easily impressed and need to see proof before they believe anything.
8. Connecticut: "He Who Transplanted Still Sustains"
Connecticut's motto comes from the Latin "Qui Transtulit Sustinet," and it carries a powerful message about resilience. Which it all but has to when you’re one of the smallest states in the country! Luckily, it's an unexpectedly moving way to summarize an entire origin story.
9. Mississippi: "Virtute et Armis"
Translated from Latin to mean "By Valor and Arms," this one’s nice and dramatic, and that’s exactly why it gives so many people pause. It rolls off the tongue for the average person, too, and let’s be honest, things just sound way cooler when they were originally in Latin.
10. New Mexico: "It Grows as It Goes"
Speaking of Latin, New Mexico's official motto is also translated from "Crescit Eundo." It's one of the more philosophical slogans on any state's books, essentially telling anyone who comes along that New Mexico’s always evolving rather than resting on its laurels.
Coming up with a slogan that captures an entire state's identity in just a few words is hard, and these next spots proved it. Let’s explore a few areas that had the right idea but could probably use a second draft.
1. Nebraska: "Equality Before the Law"
Nebraska's official motto didn’t exactly “miss the mark,” and it’s admirable in principle, but it reads more like a courtroom banner than an invitation to visit. It doesn't hint at any of the things that actually make Nebraska worth knowing about, which is a shame for a state with stunning landscapes and a rich heritage.
2. Tennessee: "Agriculture and Commerce"
Tennessee's official motto was made formal in 1987, and while there's nothing wrong with celebrating farming, it's about as exciting as a cereal box. A state that gave the world Nashville, Memphis, and the Great Smoky Mountains really shouldn't be crammed into a common tourism pamphlet.
3. Alabama: "Audemus Jura Nostra Defendere"
Alabama's official motto translates to "We dare defend our rights," which sounds intense but doesn't give you much to go on. It reads more like a sweeping declaration and skips right past everything you’d actually want to see there! Alabama has the Gulf Coast, a pivotal civil rights legacy, and some of the best food in the South—and it deserves a bigger welcoming nod.
4. Michigan: "Si Quaeris Peninsulam Amoenam Circumspice"
Michigan's motto translates to "If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you," which really only sounds charming. In reality, it’s almost impossible to remember, let alone repeat at a dinner party. It's also slightly confusing; Michigan is actually made up of two peninsulas.
5. Iowa: "Our Liberties We Prize And Our Rights We Will Maintain"
This motto is a full-blown sentence, which already puts it at a disadvantage (let’s be real: nobody's fitting that on a bumper sticker). But the bigger sore point is that it says nothing specific about Iowa, its people, or what makes the state worth paying attention to.
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6. Illinois: "State Sovereignty, National Union"
What makes a motto stand out is its distinctiveness. Illinois, on the other hand, picked a motto that sounds like it was trying please everyone. There’s tension baked right in, and considering Chicago alone is one of the most iconic cities in the world, the whole state deserves something that reflects its energy.
7. Georgia: "Wisdom, Justice, and Moderation"
While this motto’s values are good, they're also way too universal. You could swap this onto virtually any state's seal, and no one would think twice about it! Georgia has everything from the Appalachian Trail to legendary music history—surely there's a more Georgia-specific way to wrap it all up.
8. Indiana: "The Crossroads of America"
We’ll say this: it's geographically accurate…in a bland sort of way. "Crossroads" also wasn’t the best choice; it implies a place you pass through rather than a destination worth stopping for. It’s a shame, too, ‘cause a more confident motto could actually brag about everything you’re missing!
9. North Dakota: "Liberty And Union, Now And Forever, One And Inseparable"
Phew, that’s a mouthful! North Dakota's motto reads like a sentence from a political speech rather than a punchy identifier for the state. And what do you know—it's borrowed from a famous 1830 speech by Daniel Webster. For a state with the breathtaking Badlands and some of the darkest skies in the country, this motto leaves an awful lot on the table.
10. Utah: "Industry"
Yup, that’s it. It tells you nothing about Utah's absolutely jaw-dropping landscapes, its unique cultural history, or the fact that it's home to five national parks. One word was always going to be a tough sell, and unfortunately, this one doesn't make a strong enough case for itself.
