Seal of Iowa

The Iowa State Seal

The Great Seal of the State of Iowa is an emblem that represents the U.S. state of Iowa. It was created in 1847, one year after Iowa became a state. The seal shows a soldier over fields of wheat surrounded by symbols important to Iowa's history. They include transportation, farms and mining.

The seal has the words "The Great Seal of the State of Iowa" around the outside.

Iowa became a state on December 28th, 1846. Before joining the Union, it was a territory. Iowa had a long history in civil rights. The territory was decades ahead of other territories and states. As part of its process in becoming a state, Iowa determined a motto that says this: 'Our Liberties We Prize and Our Rights We Will Maintain'.