Sic Semper Tyrannis means “thus always to tyrants.” Who was the tyrant Booth was referring to? "The desperado [John Wilkes Booth] managed to escape from the house, and was prepared for escape by having a horse at the door. He immediately mounted the horse, and sung out the motto of the State of Virginia, "Sic Semper Tyrannis!" and rode off. " –New York Herald,April 15, 1865