New Hampshire State Seal

New Hampshire's official state seal has undergone historical changes since the state declared independence in 1776. Initially, it featured an upright fish and pine tree on either side of a bundle of five arrows, symbolizing the colony's main trade and unity among its five counties, with the Latin motto "VIS UNITA FORTIOR" meaning "A united force (is) stronger." In 1784, reflecting Portsmouth's shipbuilding prominence during the Revolutionary War, the seal depicted a ship on stocks with a rising sun. The modern seal, established in 1932, features the frigate USS Raleigh, signifying New Hampshire's early naval history. The flag of New Hampshire, centered on a blue background, incorporates this seal and is one of two U.S. state flags to include the Stars and Stripes flag. There have been occasional proposals to modify the flag design, but none have been officially adopted.