October 22nd, 2023 Latin of the Day - "alis volat propriis"

 October 22nd, 2023 Latin of the Day - "alis volat propriis"

"alis volat propriis"

"she flies on her own wings" ~ State Motto of Oregon

a.d. XI Kalendas Novembres anno A.U.C. MMDCCLXXVI 

April 28th, 2023 Latin of the Day - "Pro Bono Publico"

  April 28th, 2023 Latin of the Day - "Pro Bono Publico"

"Pro Bono Publico" 

"For the Public Good"

~ Motto on the flag of East Providence, Rhode Island - Where I shall reside beginning in June 2023!

a.d. IV Kalendas Maias anno A.U.C. MMDCCLXXVI 

March 29th, 2023 Latin of the Day - "Regnat Populus"

 March 29th, 2023 Latin of the Day - "Regnat Populus"

"Regnat Populus"

"The people rule" - the motto of the state of Arkansas. The original motto, dating back to at least 1836, was Regnant Populi (intending the meaning of the current motto, but inadvertently implying multiple peoples ruling), but it was emended in an act approved by Governor Xenephon O. Pindall on May 24, 1907 - and how great is THAT name?

~ Motto of the state of Arkansas

a.d. IV Kalendas Apriles anno A.U.C. MMDCCLXXVI

March 3rd, 2023 Latin of the Day - "Ad astra per aspera."

 March 3rd, 2023 Latin of the Day - "Ad astra per aspera."

"Ad astra per aspera."

"Through hardships to the stars," or "to the stars through difficulties."

~ Motto of the state of Kansas; the path to the stars is apparently not an easy one . . .

a.d. V Nonas Martias anno A.U.C. MMDCCLXXVI 

February 9th, 2023 Latin of the Day - "Spe Salvi"

 February 9th, 2023 Latin of the Day - "Spe Salvi"

"Spe Salvi"

"Saved in Hope"

~ Motto on the heraldic achievement of Bishop Robert C. Evans, D.D., J.C.L., of the Diocese of Providence, Rhode Island

On this day, February 9th, 2023, I visited the Museum of Work and Culture in Woonsocket, RI, and in that museum visited the RI Catholic Schools Archive. Catholic schools were a big part of the life experience of Woonsocket, RI, so I wanted to find a Latin motto that went with this visit . . . 

a.d. V Idus Februarias anno A.U.C. MMDCCLXXVI 

February 8th, 2023 Latin of the Day - "Lucem diffundo."

 February 8th, 2023 Latin of the Day - "Lucem diffundo."

"Lucem diffundo."

"I spread light."

~ Motto of the city of New Bedford, Massachusetts

Today I am visiting the city of New Bedford, Massachusetts. The seal of the city prominently displays the motto, translating "I spread (the) light." There is a lighthouse on the seal, so one interpretation has been that the lighthouse is speaking, but the motto likely goes back to New Bedford's role as a whaling city, with New Beford whale oil lighting the lamps of the nation and the world (including that lighthouse.' 

a.d. VI Idus Februarias anno A.U.C. MMDCCLXXVI 

February 7th, 2023 Latin of the Day - "Aliis volat propriis."

 February 7th, 2023 Latin of the Day - "Aliis volat propriis."

"Aliis volat propriis."

"She flies with her own wings." Today, February 7th, 2023, I'm getting on a plane in Phoenix to fly to Boston, so I wanted a "flying" theme . . . 

~ Motto of the state of Oregon

a.d. VII Idus Februarias anno A.U.C. MMDCCLXXVI 

February 2nd, 2023 Latin of the Day - "Veritas" (Motto of Harvard University)

 February 2nd, 2023 Latin of the Day - "Veritas" (Motto of Harvard University)

"Veritas"

"Truth"

~ Motto of Harvard University

a.d. IV Nonas Februarias anno A.U.C. MMDCCLXXVI 

January 27th, 2023 Latin of the Day - "Ditat Deus" (state motto of Arizona!)

 January 27th, 2023 Latin of the Day - "Ditat Deus" (state motto of Arizona!)

"Ditat Deus"

"God enriches" or "God makes rich" (apparently a reference to the mineral abundance of Arizona, but the attitude may also explain the rather unpleasant prevalence of pernicious "prosperity gospel" Christianity in AZ . . .)

~ State Motto of Arizona (AZ)

a.d. VI Kalendas Februarias anno A.U.C. MMDCCLXXVI