Missouri’s State Motto: What is it?

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Missouri’s state motto, “Salus Populi Suprema Lex Esto”, means “the welfare of the people shall be the supreme law”. It was adopted in 1822 and is featured on the state seal, which also includes two grizzly bears, the words “United We Stand” and “Divided We Fall”, and the year 1820. The state flag has three horizontal stripes and the state has several other official symbols, including the Missouri mule and the bluebird.

Missouri’s state motto is “Salus Populi Suprema Lex Esto”. This Latin phrase translates to “the welfare of the people shall be the supreme law”. Another translation variation is “May the good of the people be the supreme law”. Missouri’s state motto originates from the work of Roman lawyer and philosopher Marcus Cicero, De Legibus, or On Laws in English.

The state motto of Missouri was officially adopted in 1822. It is featured on the Great Seal of the State of Missouri, which was adopted on January 11 of that year by the Missouri General Assembly. Composed of many symbolisms, the seal was designed by Judge Robert William Wells. It has a circular shape with “The Great Seal Of The State Of Missouri” written around the edges of the first circle.

Within the second circle, there are 23 small stars and one large star, symbolizing the state of Missouri as the 24th state of the United States. Two large grizzly bears stand at the outer edges of the inner circle, symbolizing the courage of Missouri citizens and the strength of the state. The two grizzlies are perched on a scroll inscribed with the Missouri state motto.

Other interesting facts about the state seal include the image of the shield between the two bears, which is split in two. The left side shows the wording “United We Stand”, while the right side shows the wording “Divided We Fall”. Below the scroll with the words adopted as Missouri’s state motto is the Roman numeral “MDCCCXX” representing the year 1820, when Missouri officially began functioning as a state.

The flag also bears a representation of the seal with the state motto of Missouri. It has three horizontal stripes, which are blue, white and red. In addition to the official state motto, Missouri also has unofficial nicknames. For example, he is also known as “The Show Me State”, “The Bullion State” and “Mother Of The West”.

Missouri has several other official state symbols. The official state animal is the Missouri mule, while the official state bird is the bluebird. Missouri’s official state aquatic animal is the paddlefish, and the official state fish is the channel catfish. The state tree is the flowering dogwood, while the state nut tree is the eastern black walnut.




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