Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité

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Liberté, égalité, fraternité, French for "Liberty, equality, fraternity (brotherhood)", is the motto of the French Republic.

The slogan of the French Revolution was Liberté, égalité, fraternité, ou la mort! (Freedom, equality, fraternity, or death!). This slogan outlived the revolution, later becoming the rallying cry of the activists, both militant and non-violent, who promote democracy or overthrow of oppressive governments.

France currently uses the milder version "Liberté, égalité, fraternité" as its national motto. Those 3 words are sometimes associated with the 3 colors of the French flag, but there is no historical connection.

The French euro coins for 1 euro and for 2 euros have this motto stamped on the obverse side.

The motto appears in the 1946 and the 1958 French constitutions, and, although some disagreed with the ideal of liberty and equality, it became part of French heritage under the Third Republic.

Some former colonies of the French Republic (such as Chad, Niger, and Gabon) have adopted similar three-word mottoes.

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