Translated from Latin as “It grows as it goes,” New Mexico’s motto — “Crescit Eundo” — has philosophical roots. William Ritch borrowed the phrase from the ancient Roman philosopher Lucretius, who wrote, “it grows as it goes,” when describing a thunderbolt gaining power as it moved across the sky. Historians theorize that Ritch believed New Mexico had great ability to grow in strength.

When Marie Bankhead Owen, the Director of Alabama’s State Archives, read the 18th-century poem “What Constitutes a State” by Sir William Jones, she was inspired by the phrase, “Men who their duties know. But know their rights, and knowing, dare maintain.” She had a Latin professor from the University of Alabama translate “We dare maintain our rights” to “Audemus jura nostra defendere,” and the state’s decisive motto was born in 1939.

Washington’s motto first appeared on the state’s territorial seal, which was designed during a surveying expedition of the area. On the seal, the Goddess of Hope points toward the words “Al-ki,” an Indigenous term that translates to “bye and bye,” and later evolved to mean “into the future.” Although it was the motto for the territorial seal, Al-ki was never adopted by the state legislature and remains the state’s unofficial motto to this day.

The translation for Maine’s Latin motto is “I direct” or “I guide.” Adopted by the state in 1820, “Dirigo” was inspired by the North Star — just as the North Star shines bright in the sky to guide sailors back to port, Maine is a northern state that leads its citizens to be patriotic.

Colorado’s state motto has a few translations, varying from “Nothing without God” to “Nothing without Providence.” The meaning is largely the same, however, as the motto gives recognition to an unseen deity. Although there are no explanations as to why this particular phrase was chosen, we do know that it originated from an epic poem, Aeneid, written by the Roman poet Virgil.

Hawaii is one of two states with a motto in an Indigenous language. (The other is Washington.) Its motto, “Ua Mau ke Ea o Ka Āiena i ka Pono,” translates to “The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness.” These words were first spoken by King Kamehameha III, who ruled the Hawaiian kingdom from 1825 until his death in 1853.

Latin for “Thus always to tyrants,” Virginia’s state motto references the words that Marcus Brutus was rumored to have uttered after the fatal stabbing of Roman emperor Julius Caesar in 44 BCE. Virginia’s state seal depicts the Roman goddess of virtue standing over the figure of tyranny, alongside the state’s Latin motto — a dramatic nod toward Virginia's valiant efforts to escape the rule of England.

The original quote that inspired Maryland’s state motto has been attributed to 16th-century Pope Clement VII. The phrase translates to “Manly deeds, womanly words.” After public outcry due to the sexism of the original translation, Maryland officials updated the translation of the state motto to be "Strong deeds, gentle words."

For hundreds of years, Vermont’s state motto was simple and straightforward: “Freedom and Unity.” But in 2015, 15-year-old Angela Kubicke was disappointed to learn that her home state had a motto in English, and not in formal Latin. Encouraged by her teacher, Kubicke wrote to her state representative with the idea for a secondary Latin motto: “Stella Quarta Decima Fulgeat,” which translates to “May the 14th star shine bright.”

Montana’s motto (which translates to "gold and silver" in English) is a nod to the state's mineral reserves that were discovered in abundance in the mid-19th century, earning it the nickname “The Treasure State.” The committee deciding the motto thought that it had a better ring to it in Spanish. It was written on Montana’s first official state seal in 1865 and still appears on its state flag today.

In 1861, Minnesota Governor Henry Sibley proposed the state’s motto — "L'etoile du Nord," or "Star of the North” — reflecting the fact that Minnesota was, at the time, the northernmost state in the U.S. The French language was chosen to represent the early French-Canadian settlers who called Minnesota home.

Utah’s motto is a reference to the industrious insect that inspired its "Beehive State" nickname. The beehive has long been a symbol in the religious state, as Utah was formed by Mormon settlers who attributed their success to cooperation and hard work. So it made sense for the Utah legislature to give a nod to their state insect, the honeybee, with the straightforward motto, “Industry.”

Texas, or "Tejas," is the Spanish pronunciation of a word that comes from the Caddo Native American tribe, who lived in the area before the Spanish arrived. The word roughly translates to "allies" or "friends." The state motto of Texas, "Friendship," was adopted in 1930 because it was associated with the meaning of the state’s name.

The Latin word “Excelsior” translates to “Ever upward” and was adopted in 1778 as New York's motto to reflect the state's drive for excellence toward a brighter future. The motto appears on New York’s coat of arms, which is also featured on the state seal and state flag, along with the words “E pluribus unum,” which means “Out of many, one.”

“Regnat populus,” which is Latin for “The people rule,” has been Arkansas’ state motto since 1836. The motto refers to Arkansas’ role in both the War of Independence and the Civil War, idealizing the values of justice, freedom, and independence. The Latin motto is nearly identical to South Dakota’s state motto, “Under God, the people rule.”

Ahead of Alaska’s centennial celebration, the state held a contest for a new motto with a $300 grand prize for the winning entry. Juneau journalist Richard Peter suggested "North to the Future," which was selected as Alaska's official state motto in 1967. The phrase was meant to evoke optimism and promise, as well as Alaska’s position as the northernmost U.S. state.

The Wyoming Territorial Legislature made it legal for all women to vote, hold public office, and serve on juries in 1869. Thus, “Equal rights” is a fitting motto for the state, which was admitted to the Union in 1890 and is nicknamed the “Equality State.” The first female governor was elected in Wyoming in 1924.

As the former Librarian of the Rhode Island Historical Society, Howard M. Chapin wrote that Rhode Island’s motto likely came from the Bible. Chapin believed that the phrase, “hope we have as an anchor to the soul,” may have served as the primary inspiration for the state’s short and sweet motto.

New Hampshire’s emphatic motto was borrowed from a toast given by a Revolutionary War hero. In 1809, General John Stark declined an invitation to a reunion with old war comrades, due to poor health, but he sent a toast by letter stating, “Live Free or Die; Death is Not the Worst of Evils.” The popular saying was later adapted into the state’s official motto in 1945.

“Eureka!” comes from a Greek word meaning, “I have found it!” And it was the discovery of gold in California that made “Eureka!” its state motto. The Gold Rush of 1848 put California on the map, leading to an influx of nearly 300,000 migrants to the West Coast in subsequent years.