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Pennsylvania State Motto

Virtue, Liberty and Independence	Language:English
Translation:	Adoption:1875

State mottoes may be said to reflect the character and beliefs of the citizens of the state, or more accurately, the citizens of the state when they were adopted. State mottoes can help us gain insight into the history of a state. [What is a motto? ]

Adoption of the Pennsylvania State Motto

The motto, Virtue, Liberty and Independence, first appeared on the Pennsylvania coat of arms designed by Caleb Lownes in 1778. Between 1778 and 1873, numerous modifications and changes were made to the coat of arms until, in 1874, the Pennsylvania Legislature appointed a commission to establish an official version. In 1875, the commission adopted a coat of arms virtually identical to the design established by Mr. Lownes in 1778.

About the Pennsylvania State Motto

Today, the Pennsylvania coat of arms is a familiar site, serving on Pennsylvania's state flag and as a fixture on various state documents, publications and letterheads.

Additional Information

State Motto List: List of all of the state mottoes.

State Names, Seals, Flags, and Symbols: A Historical Guide, Third Edition - Benjamin F. Shearer and Barbara S. Shearer, Greenwood Press, 2002

State Names, Flags, Seals, Songs, Birds, Flowers and Other Symbols: A Study based on historical documents giving the origin and significance of the state names, nicknames, mottoes, seals, flowers, birds, songs, and descriptive comments on the capitol buildings and on some of the leading state histories, Revised Edition - George Earlie Shankle, Ph.D., The H.W. Wilson Company, 1938 (Reprint Services Corp. 1971)

Source: Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, (http://www.phmc.state.pa.us/), March 23, 2005
Source: Merriam-Webster Online, (http://www.m-w.com/), March 3, 2005
Source: State Names, Seals, Flags, and Symbols: A Historical Guide, Third Edition - Benjamin F. Shearer and Barbara S. Shearer, Greenwood Press, 2002
Source: State Names, Flags, Seals, Songs, Birds, Flowers and Other Symbols: Revised Edition (Reprint)- George Earlie Shankle, Ph.D., The H.W. Wilson Company, 1938

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