The phrase “Live free or die” was spoken by General John Stark, a Revolutionary War hero from New Hampshire. He reportedly penned or delivered a toast containing the line in 1809, and the idea was later adopted as the state motto of New Hampshire in 1945. Stark’s famous toast included the broader sentiment that death is preferable to living life without liberty, and the exact wording most often cited is “Live free or die. Death is not the worst of evils.” This motto has since appeared on license plates and official state materials, and its origin is widely attributed to Stark’s expressions to veterans of the Battle of Bennington. Key points:
- Originator: General John Stark (New Hampshire, Revolutionary War).
- Original context: A toast to fellow veterans in 1809, reflecting a commitment to liberty.
- Official adoption: New Hampshire adopted the motto in 1945; license plates featured it subsequently.
- Cultural resonance: The phrase traces back to a broader Revolutionary-era slogan tradition and has ties to the French phrase “Vivre libre ou mourir” used during the French Revolution, though Stark’s English usage is the popular attribution in the United States.
