Mottos and Shields

Mottos play an important role in our lives. Nations, states, companies, and organizations of all kinds choose them and uphold them with utmost care: they encapsulate the beliefs, values, and ideas that guide them. Let's have a look at the most important ones to us, as Americans.

E Pluribus Unum: United States of America
Latin | ā-ˌplu̇r-i-bu̇s-ˈü-nu̇m | Out of Many, One
While probably second to In God We Trust in popularity contests, E Pluribus Unum is still a major motto of the United States of America, appearing on the Great Seal. It perfectly encapsulates the sentiment behind the creation of the United States: many states coming together to form a strong and free Union. Out of many, one.

Other mottos and shields from those who protect us are listed below.

army This We'll Defend: US Army
This We'll Defend has been the motto of the United States Army since the days of the Revolutionary War, when it was still the Continental Army. It manifests the unwavering will to defend and preserve the interests of the nation above everything else. Today, it can be seen on the official US Army flag and on the emblem of the Department of the Army.

marine Semper Fidelis: Marine Corps
Latin | sem-pər-fə-ˈdā-ləs | Always Faithful/Loyal
Usually shortened to Semper Fi, this is the motto of choice for the United States Marine Corps and many other military and civilian organizations. It embodies the Marines' values of honor, courage, and commitment; as well as their unyielding loyalty towards each other and the people they serve.

Semper Paratus: Coast Guard
Latin | sem-pər-pə-ˈrä-təs | Always Ready
No one knows for certain how the words Semper Paratus came to be the motto of the United States Coast Guard, but it was Captain Francis Saltus Van Boskerck who immortalized them when he penned the 1928 march of the same name (now, naturally, the official march of the Coast Guard).

Aim High ... Fly-Fight-Win
This motto was adopted by the Air Force in 2010.

space Semper Supra: US Space Force
Latin | sem-pər-sü-prə | Always Above
Fitting for the United States Space Force, Semper Supra (Always Above) has been their motto and the name of their official march since 2022. The motto was coined by US Air Force Senior Airman Daniel Sanchez, who chose it after researching the mottos of other branches of the military and deciding that Semper Supra and its translation were easy to say and memorize.

nasa For the Benefit of All: NASA
While NASA has used Ad Astra per Aspera as a slogan on different occasions, For the Benefit of All is its official motto. This phrase encapsulates the spirit of NASA's mission, which is to explore the secrets of the universe for the benefit of all humanity.

nasa Fidelity, Bravery, Integrity: FBI
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is an organization that takes pride in holding its members to the highest standards of personal character. That´s why they chose Fidelity, Bravery, Integrity as their motto, to showcase the values they prize the most. Coincidentally, these three terms can also be abbreviated as the initialism FBI.

GOD In God We Trust
Adopted by Congress in 1956, In God We Trust became the official motto of the United States, replacing E Pluribus Unum, which had been in use since its appearance in the design of the Great Seal of the United States. It was received with almost unanimous approval by the general population, and it remains one of the most popular mottos in America. It's on display on several government buildings and, of course, printed on American currency.

Thanks to Sam W. for the information. If you have more on mottos, please send by simply clicking this icon. form
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