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Kentucky Symbols, State Motto
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"United We Stand, Divided We Fall"
Adopted on December 20, 1792 .
Language: English
Focus: Union vs. State
The origin for the concept of strength in unity can be traced all the way back to the one of the fables of Aesop, in which he shows that sticks one by one may be readily broken, but cannot when several are bound together in a bundle. The moral being, "Union gives strength."
Most historians believe that the patriotism of Kentucky's first governor, Isaac Shelby, was the inspiration for the state's choice of the motto "United We Stand, Divided We Fall." Shelby, a hero of the Revolutionary War for his victory at the Battle of Kings Mountain, was fond of "The Liberty Song," written 1768 by John Dickinson. The chorus of song includes: "They join in hand, brave Americans all, By uniting we stand, by dividing we fall." Another song that was popular at the time was "The Flag of Our Union," written by George Pope Morris, that also contained a similar line: "United We Stand, Divided We Fall."
But most historians believe the phrase "United we stand, divided we fall" is first attributed to John Dickinson (1732–1808) a US Statesman and essayist. Boston Gazette (July 18, 1768) The Liberty Song (1768) he wrote: "Then join hand in hand, brave Americans all! By uniting we stand, by dividing we fall!" quoted in The Writings of John Dickinson, vol. 1 (1895).
The official seal of the Commonwealth was described in a bill passed by the General Assembly on December 20, 1792, shortly after Kentucky joined the Union. The original seal shows two friends embracing each other, with the words "Commonwealth of Kentucky" over their heads and around them the words "United We Stand, Divided We Fall." By custom (and now in conformity with the description of the flag contained in the statutes), two sprigs of goldenrod in bloom are shown in the lower portion of the seal. The official colors of the seal are blue and gold.
These state have mottos that reference the union:
- Illinois: "State Sovereignty; National Union"
- Kentucky: "United We Stand, Divided We Fall"
- Louisiana: "Union, Justice, and Confidence"
- Nevada: "All for Our Country"
- North Dakota: "Liberty and Union Now and Forever; One and Inseparable"
- Vermont: "Freedom and Unity"
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