What does it say on the Brazilian flag?

Across the white banner on the blue circle of the Republic of Brazil's flag is the motto "Ordem e Progresso," which translates to "Order and Progress." The motto is inspired by Auguste Comte's words that translate to "Love as a principle and order as the basis; progress as the goal."

The flag was adopted in 1889 and modified to add six stars in 1992. Each of the 27 stars in the flag's blue circle represents the Federal District and a different Brazilian state. Together, the stars depict the sky as it appeared over Rio de Janeiro on Nov. 15, 1889, the night the Republic of Brazil was established.