Illinois Symbols, State Motto

Adopted in 1818; 1868 .

Language: English

Focus: Union vs. State

These words were inscribed on the original state seal adopted in 1818. The seal that came into use in 1868, contrary to an amendment disallowing it, reversed the motto and placed “National Union” above “State Sovereignty.” Nevertheless, the official motto places “State Sovereignty” first.

Until 1868 the Second Great Seal was the one in use. In January 1867 Secretary of State Sharon Tyndale told State Senator Allen C. Fuller that a new seal was needed. He asked Senator Fuller to sponsor a bill to authorize that new seal.

In the bill that Fuller sponsored, Tynsdale proposed changing the wording on the banner the eagle held to "National Union, State Sovereignty" from the original "State Sovereignty, National Union." The wording change proposal was in response to the states rights controversy that was critical to the, then recently, settled Civil War.

The Senate disagreed with Tynsdale's proposed wording change. A new State Seal was authorized of March 7, 1867; however, the amended bill restored the original wording. Although Tinsdale followed the General Assembly's decree that he not reverse the wording, he redesigned the seal in such a way that the words "National Union" are more prominent than the words "State Sovereignty."

The present Great Seal of the State of Illinois is essentially unchanged from the one produced by Tynsdale.

These state have mottos that reference the union:

1. Illinois: "State Sovereignty; National Union"
2. Kentucky: "United We Stand, Divided We Fall"
3. Louisiana: "Union, Justice, and Confidence"
4. Nevada: "All for Our Country"
5. North Dakota: "Liberty and Union Now and Forever; One and Inseparable"
6. Vermont: "Freedom and Unity"