L'Étoile du Nord

This article is about the Minnesota state motto. For other uses, see Étoile du Nord.

L'Étoile du Nord is a French phrase meaning "The Star of the North". It is the motto of the U.S. state of Minnesota,^[1] and the only U.S. state motto in French. It was chosen by the state's first governor, Henry Hastings Sibley, and adopted in 1861, three years after Minnesota's admission to the union.^[2] The land that became Minnesota was the northernmost section in the Northwest Territory, and Minnesota is the northernmost state in the contiguous United States. Because of this motto, one of Minnesota's nicknames is The North Star State. The Minnesota North Stars ice hockey team chose the English translation for their name.

The motto, as it appears on the 1879 Seal of Minnesota

In the northern hemisphere, the North Star (Polaris) is a part of the tip of the handle and the brightest star of the constellation Ursa Minor (known also as Little Bear and as the Little Dipper). Ursa Minor has traditionally been important for navigation, because Polaris is the star closest to the North Celestial Pole.^[3]

Examples at the Minnesota State Capitol

The motto and eight-pointed star can be seen throughout the state capitol.

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  The brass and translucent glass eight-pointed star symbolizing Minnesota's motto, "L’Étoile du Nord" (The Star of the North)
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  Rotunda floor showing 8-pointed star symbolizing Minnesota's motto, "L’Étoile du Nord" (The Star of the North)
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  Minnesota's state motto, L'Étoile du Nord, from an 1879 rendering of the state's official seal.
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  Stencil at the Minnesota State Capitol
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  Mural of the Great Seal of the State of Minnesota in the MN House of Representatives.
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  Motto on iron railing at the MN Capitol.
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  L'Étoile du Nord at the 1st Minnesota Infantry Monument; Gettysburg PA

Examples at the Minnesota History Center

The eight-pointed star can be seen in the ceiling of the Great Hall and throughout the building. Each pair of points represents the letter M for Minnesota.

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  North star motif in wooden cross beams in ceiling.
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  North star motif in ceiling and floor.
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  North star motif as seen on floor.

See also

• List of place names of French origin in the United States