"L'___ du Nord" (Minnesota motto)

ETOILE

Think of the French word for a bright celestial body often seen in flags or night skies. Minnesota’s motto translates to "The ___ of the North."

This clue references Minnesota’s official state motto, which is in French: "L'Étoile du Nord" (meaning "The North Star"). The blank in the clue hints at the missing word, étoile, so the answer is spelled without the accent as "ETOILE" to fit crossword conventions. The motto reflects Minnesota’s northern location and its historical ties to French explorers.