The motto is Salus Populi Suprema Lex Esto, which the 2019-2020 Official Manual renders “The welfare of the people shall be the supreme law.” Read on October 30, 2026.
By the It’s Missouri editorial team. Last reviewed October 30, 2026.
The Details
- The Secretary of State dates it to 1822 as part of the Great Seal. It has no statute section of its own.
- The unofficial nickname is a different matter; see why Missouri is called the Show-Me State.
More Missouri Guides
Sources
Checked October 30, 2026 by It’s Missouri. Cite this page: It’s Missouri (https://itsmissouri.com/answers/what-is-the-missouri-state-motto/), checked October 30, 2026. Free to quote with a link.