On this date in history, July 30, 1956, the 84th Congress enacted a joint resolution proclaiming “IN GOD WE TRUST” as the national motto of the United States, according to History.com.
Unanimously passed by both the House and the Senate without any debate, this resolution replaced “E pluribus unum,” the previous de facto official motto, as noted by the same source.
Only two years prior, on June 14, 1954, President Dwight Eisenhower ratified a bill to add the words “under God” to the Pledge of Allegiance, stated History.com.
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Before this legislation, the original Pledge of Allegiance, composed in 1892, mentioned no religious context.
The phrase “In God is our Trust” can be found in Francis Scott Key’s 1814 poem “Defence of Fort McHenry,” according to the National Museum of American History.
In 1865, Congress granted authorization for the motto “In God We Trust” to be placed on all silver and gold coins with enough space for it. (iStock)
That poem emerged as a response to the British incursion during the War of 1812, according to the same source.
Key wrote, “And this be our motto — ’In God is our Trust'” in the concluding stanza of the poem.
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The poem served as the foundation for the national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner,” according to the National Museum of American History.
The phrase is also interwoven within various elements of American history.
The formal adoption of “In God We Trust” can be traced back to the Civil War period, reported The Pew Research Center.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890-1969) signed legislation in 1954 to add “under God” to the Pledge of Allegiance. Two years later, on July 30, 1956, the 84th Congress declared “IN GOD WE TRUST” the official national motto. (Express Newspapers/Getty Images)
In 1861, Rev. M. R. Watkinson, a minister from Ridley Township, Pennsylvania, sent a letter to Secretary of the Treasury Salmon P. Chase asking for “the recognition of the Almighty God in some form on our coins,” as stated by the same source.
Sec. Chase concurred and directed the mint’s director to devise a motto for coins.
“In God We Trust” was first minted on a two-cent coin in 1864, according to The Pew Research Center.
The director initially suggested “God, Our Trust,” but Chase modified it to “In God We Trust,” which first appeared on a two-cent coin in 1864, as reported by The Pew Research Center.
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The subsequent year, Congress authorized the mint to add the motto to all applicable silver and gold coins, as noted by the same source.
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The first paper currency displaying the motto came into circulation on October 1, 1957, appearing on the $1 silver certificate, according to Politico.
“In God We Trust” is now featured on all U.S. currency, illustrated here on the back of a $100 bill. (Fox News Digital)
As advancements in indigo printing technology were made, the motto became a standard on all denominations of currency.
On November 2, 2001, the House of Representatives passed a non-binding resolution reaffirming “In God We Trust” as the national motto.
The initiative to feature the motto on paper currency originated from George Humphrey, Eisenhower’s Treasury secretary, as per the same source.
On November 2, 2001, the House of Representatives passed a non-binding resolution reaffirming “In God We Trust” as the national motto.
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The resolution was passed with a vote of 396-9, and there were two abstentions, according to PBS.
This measure was introduced by Rep. Randy Forbes, R-Va., per the same source.
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Today, “In God We Trust” is showcased on all U.S. currency and inscribed on government buildings nationwide.
“Although no longer viewed as religious, the phrase has evolved into a historical symbol, recognizing the role of faith in national life and serving as an expression of patriotism,” according to the Free Speech Center at Middle Tennessee State University.
