Stella quarta decima

Stella quarta decima (Latin for "The Fourteenth Star") is a motto appearing on Vermont copper coinage struck in 1785 and 1786.

On April 10, 2015, an extended version of the phrase, Stella quarta decima fulgeat, became the official state Latin motto when it was signed into law at the University of Vermont on Latin day by Peter Shumlin, the 81st governor of Vermont.

[1] The Latin words translate as "May the fourteenth star shine bright."

It brought about some controversy and confusion, as some people misunderstood and believed the state had created a state motto for Latinos[2][3] or confused Latin with Latin America.

[4] The author of the motto is Angela Kubicke, who was a ninth grader at the time of it going into effect.