State
Motto: "Eureka"
The
Greek word "Eureka" has
appeared on the state seal since 1849 and means "I have found
it". The words were probably intended to refer to the discovery
of gold in California. Archimedes, the famed Greek mathematician, is
said to have exclaimed "Eureka!" when, after long study,
he discovered a method of determining the purity of gold. In 1957,
attempts were made to establish "In God We Trust" as the
state motto, but "Eureka" was made the official state motto
in 1963.