The State of Oregon and The Union

On this day in 1859, The Oregon Territory is officially admitted in to the Union as the 33rd state. Fittingly, the State Flag and the Great Seal feature the previous state motto “The Union.” This motto reflected the conflicting issues of slavery and statehood at the time.

The current official motto, Alis Volat Propriis, captures the independent spirit of the original provisional government of the territory. After all, it is Latin for “She flies with her own wings.”

Rights and Responsibilities

This is from the Constitution of Oregon Bill of Rights:

“All men shall be secure in the Natural right, to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their consciences.”

Interestingly, the Bill of Rights also states that “No law shall be passed restraining the free expression of opinion, or restricting the right to speak, write, or print freely on any subject whatever; but every person shall be responsible for the abuse of this right.”