Minnesota Motto
L’Etoile du Nord
Minnesota is the only US state to have its official state motto in French. The phrase “L’Etoile du Nord” was officially adopted as the state motto in 1861.
It was selected by Henry Sibley to be used on the state seal and was approved by Legislature. It translates into “The Star of the North.” It appears on the great seal and state flag of Minnesota as well as giving it the nickname of “The North Star State.”