Live free or die

"Live free or die" is the official motto of New Hampshire. It is probably the best-known of all state mottos, perhaps because it speaks to an aggressive independence inherent in the American dream.

The phrase comes from a toast written by Gen. John Stark in July 31, 1809. Poor health had forced Stark, New Hampshire's most famous soldier of the American Revolutionary War, to decline an invitation to an anniversary reunion of the Battle of Bennington. Instead he sent the toast, which said in full: "Live free or die: Death is not the worst of evils."

In 1945, the New Hampshire Legislature adopted the phase as the state's motto, and in 1971 chose to have it appear on all New Hampshire license plates, replacing the sentiment "Scenic". The saying is in contrast to the milder sentiments that appear on most U.S. license plates, such as "Famous Potatoes" (Idaho), which contributes to its fame.

Similar mottoes exist around the world. "Eleftheria i thanatos" ("Liberty or Death") is the national motto of Greece and comes from the motto of the Greek War of Independence (1821 - 1830).

A possible source of both mottoes is Patrick Henry's famed March 23, 1775 speech to the House of Burgesses (the legislative body of the Virginia colony) that contained the following line:

"Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!"

Another related motto of the American Revolutionary War was "Unite or Die".

See also: List of state mottos

Live Free or Die is popular among the nerd set, a group which also cherishes its independence. This popularity dates to the 1980s, when Armand Stettner of Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) had a set of UNIX license plates printed up and given away at a Usenix conference. They were modeled on the license plates in New Hampshire, where DEC had recently opened a branch office. When DEC came out with their own UNIX version, Ultrix, they followed Stettner's lead and printed up a legion of Ultrix plates that were distributed at trade shows.