A UnionLeader.com survey: What does 'Live Free or Die' mean to you?
"Live Free or Die" was adopted as the official motto of New Hampshire in 1945. The origin of the phrase is a toast written by General John Stark on July 31, 1809. Unable to attend an anniversary reunion of the Battle of Bennington, Stark wrote: "Live free or die: Death is not the worst of evils."
The Battle of Bennington was fought Aug. 16, 1777, over the border from Bennington, Vt., in Walloomsac, NY. An American force of 2,000 New Hampshire and Massachusetts soldiers led by Stark defeated a mixed force of 1,250 mercenaries, Native Americans, Canadians and British loyalists.
Please include your full name, town and a phone number if you don't mind being contacted by a staff reporter.
| Not free at all | Somewhat free | Free | Very free |
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| Economic freedom | | | | |
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| Freedom of assembly | | | | |
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| Freedom of association | | | | |
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| Freedom to bear arms | | | | |
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| Freedom of movement | | | | |
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| Freedom of the press | | | | |
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| Freedom of religion | | | | |
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| Freedom of speech | | | | |
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| Freedom of thought | | | | |
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