What is the state motto of California?

The state motto of California is "Eureka." "Eureka" is Greek in its language of origin, and it translates to "I have found it." California is the only state in the United States that has a motto rendered in Greek.

This motto is a part of the Great Seal of the State of California. Major Robert Selden Garnett designed the seal in 1849. In that same year, the adoption of the seal took place at the California Constitutional Convention under the misrepresentation of Caleb Lyon. This was due to Major Garnett's belief that his own representation of the seal would end in denial, and this belief was due to the animosity between the local civic authorities and the military during that period.