State mottovirtue, liberty, and independencethe keystone statea "keystone" is a central, wedge-shaped stone which holds all the other stones of a structure in place to form an arch. in early america, pennsylvania played a vital geographic and strategic role in holding together the states of the newly formed union. today, pennsylvania continues to be of key importance to the social, economic and political development of the united states.state slogan: pursue your happinesson march 8, 2016, it was declared that whoever you are, no matter what you love to do, know that happiness is pennsylvania’s keystone. it always has been. it lives in our historic treasures. our dynamic urban spaces. our greater-than-great outdoors. life. liberty. the pursuit of happiness. in pennsylvania, we hold these truths to be as self-evident today as they were in 1776. learn more.the commonwealthpennsylvania is officially a commonwealth, a word which comes from old english and means the "common weal" or well-being of the public. in pennsylvania, all legal processes are carried out in the name of the commonwealth, although the word does not appear on the state seal.the state coat of armspennsylvania's coat of arms is probably the state's most familiar symbol. based on a 1778 design by caleb lownes of philadelphia, it features a shield crested by an american bald eagle, flanked by horses and adorned with symbols of pennsylvania's strengths - a ship carrying state commerce to all parts of the world; a clay-red plough, signifying our rich natural resources; and three golden sheaves of wheat, suggesting fertile fields and pennsylvania's wealth of human thought and action. an olive branch and cornstalk cross limbs beneath - a message of peace and prosperity. the state motto is festooned below
