In God We Trust

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By Diane Forrest

In 1776 Pierre Eugene du Simitiere an philosopher and American Patriot from Switzerland was on the committee to create the new country's Seal.  He suggested the motto E pluribus unum which is Latin for Out of Many, One.  This was adopted by an act of Congress in 1782 and was the country's motto until 1956.  Since E pluribus unum was never codified as law, the United States Congress passed a law in 1956 changing the country's motto to "In God We Trust".  This was also around the same time as the words "Under God" were added to the Pledge of Allegiance to let Russia know that we were not a communist nation.

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The phrase "in God we trust" did not orignate in 1956 however.  During the War of 1812, Francis Scott Key wrote a verse which would later become our Nations Anthem.  The fourth stanza is:

O! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand

Between their loved home and the war's desolation.

Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the Heav'n rescued land

Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!

Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,

And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."

And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

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Since 1864 the phrase has been printed on coins, and printed on paper money since 1957 since a law to that affect was signed by President Eisenhower.  According to Wikipedia, in 2006, on the 50th anniversary of its adoption, the Senate reaffirmed "In God We Trust" as the official national motto of the United States of America. In 2011 the House of Representatives passed an additional resolution reaffirming "In God We Trust" as the official motto of the United States, in a 396-9 vote.  According to a 2003 joint poll by USA Today, CNN, and Gallup, 90% of Americans support the inscription "In God We Trust" on U.S. coins.  To me this tells me the majority of our country's lawmakers and citizens of the United States not only support the Motto, but believe in it as well.

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So today, remember, In God We Trust, all others pay in cash!