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What Is the State Motto of Nevada?

Britt Archer
Britt Archer

There is no authoritative history of how “All for Our Country” came to be the state motto of Nevada, but there are theories. The main theory centers on the fact that Nevada became a state in 1864, toward the end of the Civil War. One popular and often repeated tale, even though it is erroneous, says that Nevada was brought into the Union as the 36th state because the Union forces needed Nevada’s wealth of minerals, including silver.

Former state archivist Guy Rocha, who retired in 2009, wrote about the many erroneous myths surrounding the state, including this one. He called it the state’s “number one legend.” He said Nevada was inducted into the Union more for politics than for minerals at the end of the bloody Civil War, and that's how the then-federal territory went on to later earn the official state motto of Nevada, “All for Our Country,” as well as its nickname, “Battle Born.” Mr. Rocha said, “So Nevada was, in fact, the ‘Battle Born’ state because of its entrance into the Union during the Civil War, but not for the reasons we find in the popular mythology.”

Las Vegas is probably the most popular destination in Nevada.
Las Vegas is probably the most popular destination in Nevada.

Unlike the mottos of many other states, the state motto of Nevada is not included on its flag. The flag, which is a brilliant blue, instead displays the nickname “Battle Born” on the upper left corner. A silver star with five points sits below that nickname and above “Nevada.”

The story that the Union wanted the Nevada territory’s mineral wealth has some basis in fact, even though it did not lead to the selection of the official state motto of Nevada. The United States purchased Nevada’s silver as well as its gold to back up its own legal tender. Mr. Rocha argues that Nevada’s status as a territory since 1861 guaranteed that the mineral wealth and the territory’s taxes would both go the Union, whether or not it became a state. Abraham Lincoln, the president of the United States at the time of the Civil War, appointed a territorial governor to ensure there would be no support in Nevada of the Confederacy’s opposition forces.

The United States purchased Nevada’s silver as well as its gold to back up its own legal tender.
The United States purchased Nevada’s silver as well as its gold to back up its own legal tender.

Silver mining played a huge role in Nevada’s history, so much so that "The Mining State" and "The Silver State" also became nicknames for Nevada. Silver is the official metal of the state, thanks in part to the huge vein of silver discovered there in 1859, known as the Comstock Lode. In 2006, Nevada followed only one other state, Alaska, in silver production.

Discussion Comments

Heavanet

@rundocuri- I agree with you, because I also know a lot about the state of Nevada. I have a friend who lives there, and I visit her several times each year. Not only do residents of the state show a lot of patriotism, but the state has also contributed so much to our country.

From great tourism attractions to famous people to political and historical figures, Nevada's motto is very fitting because it gives so much to the United States.

Rundocuri

Whether or not the Nevada state motto "All for Our Country" came from the state's contribution to the Civil War efforts or for some unknown reason, it is a very appropriate motto. I use to live in Nevada, and the state's citizens have a lot of pride in the country. Many people feel that they would do anything for the country, so I'm sure that this has a lot to do with the state's motto.

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    • Las Vegas is probably the most popular destination in Nevada.
      By: Gainford Girl
      Las Vegas is probably the most popular destination in Nevada.
    • The United States purchased Nevada’s silver as well as its gold to back up its own legal tender.
      By: Vladimir Voronin
      The United States purchased Nevada’s silver as well as its gold to back up its own legal tender.