<P> "Live Free or Die" is the official motto of the U.S. state of New Hampshire, adopted by the state in 1945 . It is possibly the best - known of all state mottos, partly because it conveys an assertive independence historically found in American political philosophy and partly because of its contrast to the milder sentiments found in other state mottos . </P> <P> The phrase was adopted from a toast written by General John Stark, New Hampshire's most famous soldier of the American Revolutionary War, on July 31, 1809 . Poor health forced Stark to decline an invitation to an anniversary reunion of the Battle of Bennington . Instead, he sent his toast by letter: </P> <Dl> <Dd> Live free or die: Death is not the worst of evils . </Dd> </Dl>

Where did live free or die come from