The story behind New Hampshire’s ‘Live Free or Die’ motto

Joe Sohm/Visions of America / Contributor/ Getty

By Katy Savage

July 31, 2024

New Hampshire’s motto, “Live Free or Die,” was penned 215 years ago today, July 31.

The motto, debatably one of the most memorable slogans in the country, dates back to July 31, 1809, when Gen. John Stark made a toast to his wartime comrades. In a letter, after a long-fought battle during the American Revolution, he emphasized that freedom is paramount.

Stark’s full phrase was, “Live free or die; Death is not the worst of evils.”

The state didn’t officially adopt the “Live Free or Die” motto and the state emblem until 1945, and it wasn’t the only option under consideration. The other mottos were, “Strong and Steadfast as Our Granite Hills;” “Strong as Our Hills and Firm as Our Granite;” and “Pioneers Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow.”

The motto has been on state license plates since 1971. Some people might think the motto sounds intense. In marketing it’s often shortened to “Live Free.” But others believe it perfectly captures the no-nonsense spirit of the Granite State.

Author

Katy Savage

Katy Savage is an award-winning reporter with more than 10 years of experience working in daily, weekly and digital news organizations as both an editor and reporter. Katy is a New England native and has a passion for telling stories about where she grew up. Send all story tips to [email protected] and sign up for her newsletter here.

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