Georgia Studies Georgia State Pledge Motto Flag Mrs

Georgia Studies Georgia State Pledge, Motto, Flag Mrs. Robinson 8 th grade

Government standard • SS 8 CG 1 Describe the foundations of Georgia’s government. • a. Explain the basic structure of the Georgia state constitution (preamble, bill of rights, articles, and amendments) as well as its relationship to the United States Constitution. • b. Explain separation of powers and checks and balances among Georgia’s three branches of government. • c. Describe the rights and responsibilities of citizens according to the Georgia Constitution. • d. List voting qualifications for elections in Georgia. • e. Identify wisdom, justice, and moderation as the three principles in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Georgia Flag.

The Georgia Pledge of Allegiance & Motto • The Georgia General Assembly adopting a Pledge of Allegiance to the Georgia flag on March 28, 1935. This pledge stated: • “I pledge allegiance to the Georgia flag and to the principles for which it stands; Wisdom, Justice, and Moderation. ” • Though never formally adopted as an official motto for the state, wisdom, justice and moderation became a part of the state seal in 1799. The words in the motto mean the following: • Wisdom - applies to the Legislative branch and its making of state laws • Justice - applies to the just and fair decisions made by the Judicial branch • Moderation - applies to the use of moderation in administering laws by the Executive branch

The Georgia Flag Georgia's flag has three bars of equal width - two outer red bars and a white bar in the center. There is a square blue canton the width of two bars in the upper left corner. Georgia's coat of arms is centered on the canton with the words "In God We Trust" below (both in gold). Circling the coat of arms are thirteen white stars - symbols of Georgia and the other twelve original states that formed the United States of America. The three pillars are symbols of the legislative, judicial and executive branches of government. The man standing with drawn sword defends the Constitution and its principles of Wisdom, Justice and Moderation.

(Georgia's state motto) and the year of 1776 is of course the year the United States declared independence. The State Seal also features the coat of arms as seen on the Georgia flag. The reverse of the seal displays a scene of agriculture and commerce; a ship with cotton and tobacco, and a man plowing.