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U.S. State Mottoes Quiz: Only True Geography Buffs Can Conquer This Insane Challenge!

Are you ready to dive into the fascinating world of U.S. state mottos? These short phrases, often in English or Latin, capture the essence, history, and values of each state. From declarations of independence and unity to celebrations of natural resources and perseverance, mottos tell unique stories about America's diverse regions. This quiz features 40 multiple-choice questions, each asking you to identify a state's official motto from four options. We've kept the difficulty accessible, focusing on straightforward matches with a mix of well-known and lesser-known states to add variety. Whether you're a casual learner or a dedicated geography buff, you'll enjoy testing your knowledge while learning fun facts. For example, some mottos date back to the Revolutionary War era, while others were adopted in the 20th century amid statehood celebrations. After each question, we've included the correct answer and a brief explanation with historical context to enrich your understanding. Grab a pen, track your score, and see if you can ace this challenge—good luck!

1 /40

What is New Mexico’s motto?

“Ever upward”

“Crescit eundo” (“It grows as it goes”)

“The people rule”

“Nothing without the Deity”

2 /40

What is New Jersey’s motto?

“Forward”

“Equal Rights”

“It grows as it goes”

“Liberty and prosperity”

3 /40

What is New Hampshire’s motto?

“Thus always to tyrants”

“By and by”

“Mountaineers are always free”

“Live Free or Die”

4 /40

What is Montana’s motto?

“Oro y plata” (“Gold and silver”)

“Friendship”

“Industry”

“Freedom and Unity”

5 /40

What is Missouri’s motto?

“While I breathe, I hope”

“Under God the people rule”

“Agriculture and Commerce”

“Salus populi suprema lex esto” (“Let the welfare of the people be the supreme law”)

6 /40

What is Minnesota’s motto?

“She flies with her own wings”

“Virtue, Liberty, and Independence”

“Hope”

“L'Étoile du Nord” (“The star of the North”)

7 /40

What is Michigan’s motto?

“Liberty and union, now and forever, one and inseparable”

“Si quaeris peninsulam amoenam circumspice” (“If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you”)

“With God, all things are possible”

“Labor conquers all things”

8 /40

What is Massachusetts’s motto?

“Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem” (“By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty”)

“To be, rather than to seem”

“Liberty and prosperity”

“It grows as it goes”

9 /40

What is Maryland’s motto?

“Gold and silver”

“Equal Rights”

“Live Free or Die”

“Fatti maschii, parole femine” (“Manly deeds, womanly words”)

10 /40

What is Maine’s motto?

“The star of the North”

“By valor and arms”

“Dirigo” (“I direct”)

“Let the welfare of the people be the supreme law”

11 /40

What is Kansas’s motto?

“Ad astra per aspera” (“To the stars through difficulties”)

“Manly deeds, womanly words”

“By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty”

“If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you”

12 /40

What is Iowa’s motto?

“Liberty and prosperity”

“It grows as it goes”

“Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain”

“Ever upward”

13 /40

What is Indiana’s motto?

“Equal Rights”

“Live Free or Die”

“Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain”

“The Crossroads of America”

14 /40

What is Idaho’s motto?

“By valor and arms”

“Let the welfare of the people be the supreme law”

“Esto perpetua” (“Let it be perpetual”)

“Gold and silver”

15 /40

What is Hawaii’s motto?

“By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty”

“Ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono” (“The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness”)

“If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you”

“The star of the North”

16 /40

What is Georgia’s motto?

“Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain”

“Wisdom, justice, and moderation”

“To the stars through difficulties”

“Manly deeds, womanly words”

17 /40

What is Delaware’s motto?

“Liberty and Independence”

“Ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono” (“The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness”)

“Esto perpetua” (“Let it be perpetual”)

“The Crossroads of America”

18 /40

What is Connecticut’s motto?

“Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain”

“Ad astra per aspera” (“To the stars through difficulties”)

“Qui transtulit sustinet” (“He who transplanted still sustains”)

“I lead”

19 /40

What is Colorado’s motto?

“Nil sine numine” (“Nothing without the Deity”)

“Let it be perpetual”

“State sovereignty, national union”

“The Crossroads of America”

20 /40

What is Arkansas’s motto?

“Liberty and Independence”

“Regnat populus” (“The people rule”)

“In God We Trust”

“Wisdom, justice, and moderation”

21 /40

What is Alabama’s motto?

“We dare defend our rights”

“The people rule”

“Nothing without the Deity”

“He who transplanted sustains”

22 /40

What is Mississippi’s motto?

“Hope”

“Regnat populus” (“The people rule”)

“Virtute et armis” (“By valor and arms”)

“Ad astra per aspera” (“To the stars through difficulties”)

23 /40

What is Texas’s motto?

“Friendship”

“She flies with her own wings”

“Forward”

“North to the future”

24 /40

What is California’s motto?

“Eureka” (“I have found it”)

“Union, justice, confidence”

“Excelsior” (“Ever upward”)

“Dirigo” (“I direct”)

25 /40

What is Tennessee’s motto?

“Equality before the law”

“Crossroads of America”

“Fatti maschii parole femine” (“Manly deeds, womanly words”)

“Agriculture and commerce”

26 /40

What is Alaska’s motto?

“Si quaeris peninsulam amoenam circumspice” (“If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you”)

“North to the future”

“Ad astra per aspera” (“To the stars through difficulties”)

“She flies with her own wings”

27 /40

What is Nevada’s motto?

“Equal rights”

“Labor omnia vincit” (“Labor conquers all things”)

“All for our country”

“Sic semper tyrannis” (“Thus always to tyrants”)

28 /40

What is Louisiana’s motto?

“Qui transtulit sustinet” (“He who transplanted still sustains”)

“Regnat populus” (“The people rule”)

“Sic semper tyrannis” (“Thus always to tyrants”)

“Union, justice, confidence”

29 /40

What is Utah’s motto?

“Industry”

“Under God the people rule”

“Qui transtulit sustinet” (“He who transplanted still sustains”)

“Freedom and unity”

30 /40

What is Arizona’s motto?

“Dirigo” (“I direct”)

“Fatti maschii parole femine” (“Manly deeds, womanly words”)

“L'Étoile du nord” (“The north star”)

“Ditat Deus” (“God enriches”)

31 /40

What is Kentucky’s motto?

“United we stand, divided we fall”

“Animis opibusque parati” (“Prepared in mind and resources”)

“Ad astra per aspera” (“To the stars through difficulties”)

“L'Étoile du nord” (“The North Star”)

32 /40

What is Wisconsin’s motto?

“Dirigo” (“I direct”)

“Forward”

“United we stand, divided we fall”

“Crescit eundo” (“It grows as it goes”)

33 /40

What is Illinois’s motto?

“In God we trust”

“Regnat populus” (“The people rule”)

“State sovereignty, national union”

“Under God the people rule”

34 /40

What is South Carolina’s motto?

“Industry”

“Animis opibusque parati” (“Prepared in mind and resources”)

“Equal rights”

“Equality before the law”

35 /40

What is Florida’s motto?

“In God we trust”

“Oro y plata” (“Gold and silver”)

“Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem” (“By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty”)

“Agriculture and commerce”

36 /40

What is Oklahoma’s motto?

“Crescit eundo” (“It grows as it goes”)

“Labor omnia vincit” (“Labor conquers all things”)

“Nil sine Numine” (“Nothing without Providence”)

“Industry”

37 /40

What is Wyoming’s motto?

“In God we trust”

“Liberty and independence”

“North to the future”

“Equal rights”

38 /40

What is Nebraska’s motto?

“Union, justice, confidence”

“Equality before the law”

“In God we trust”

“Freedom and unity”

39 /40

What is Washington’s motto?

“Hope”

“Equal rights”

“Alki” (“By and by”)

“All for our country”

40 /40

What is New York’s motto?

“Virtue, Liberty, and Independence”

“Regnat populus” (“The people rule”)

“Excelsior” (“Ever upward”)

“Equality before the law”

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