In God We Trust

In God We Trust. It is the official national motto of the United States, appearing on its currency and within many government buildings. The phrase was first placed on United States coinage during the American Civil War and was formally adopted as the national motto by an Act of Congress in 1956, replacing the de facto motto E pluribus unum. Its use has been the subject of numerous legal challenges and public debates concerning the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.

History

The phrase originated during the heightened religious sentiment of the American Civil War. In 1861, a Pennsylvania minister named M. R. Watkinson wrote to Secretary of the Treasury Salmon P. Chase, suggesting that recognition of God on the nation's coinage would help the Union cause. Secretary Chase subsequently directed James Pollock, the Director of the Philadelphia Mint, to prepare a motto. After initial designs, the phrase was first used on the two-cent piece in 1864, authorized by the Coinage Act of 1864. It later appeared intermittently on other coinage, such as the double eagle and the eagle, throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The modern push for its universal adoption gained significant momentum during the Cold War, as a symbolic contrast to the state atheism of the Soviet Union. This culminated in its establishment as the official national motto under President Dwight D. Eisenhower, following a law passed by the 84th United States Congress.

Legal status and controversies

The constitutionality of the motto has been challenged repeatedly in federal courts, primarily under the First Amendment. Key cases include Aronow v. United States (1970), where the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled the motto has "no theological or ritualistic impact," and Zorach v. Clauson (1952), which is often cited in related arguments about governmental acknowledgment of religion. The most significant challenge reached the Supreme Court of the United States in the 2004 case Elk Grove Unified School District v. Newdow, which was dismissed on standing grounds, leaving the substantive issue unresolved. Opponents, such as the American Civil Liberties Union and the Freedom From Religion Foundation, argue it violates the Establishment Clause, while proponents, including groups like the American Legion, contend it is a form of ceremonial deism and a historical tradition. Lower courts, including the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, have consistently upheld its use.

Usage on currency and other items

The motto is mandated by law to appear on all United States currency and coinage. It was first printed on paper currency in 1957, initially appearing on the one-dollar silver certificate before spreading to all Federal Reserve Notes. It is prominently featured on modern banknotes, such as those bearing the portraits of George Washington and Benjamin Franklin. Beyond money, the phrase is displayed in the chambers of both the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate, as well as in many state capitols, including those of Florida and Texas. It also appears on the Great Seal as held by the American eagle and is inscribed above the bench in the Supreme Court courtroom.

Public opinion and cultural impact

Public opinion on the motto remains divided, often reflecting broader debates about church-state separation. Polls, such as those conducted by the Pew Research Center, generally show majority support for its retention on currency and as the national motto. The phrase has been referenced and debated in numerous cultural and political contexts, from speeches by presidents like Ronald Reagan to appearances in films, television shows, and music. It has been invoked during national crises, such as following the September 11 attacks, and is frequently used by political figures during events at locations like the National Prayer Breakfast. Critics often associate it with the rise of the Religious Right and movements like the Moral Majority.

Similar national mottos

Many other nations incorporate religious references into their official state mottos. For example, the United Kingdom's royal motto is Dieu et mon droit, while Canada's motto, A Mari Usque Ad Mare, is derived from a Psalm. The Vatican City state's motto is clearly religious in nature. Several Islamic republics, such as Iran, feature mottos invoking Allah. Other examples include Greece ("Eleftheria i thanatos", though not explicitly religious, is deeply tied to Orthodox Christian culture), and the former motto of South Africa, Ex Unitate Vires. The use of such phrases often stems from a nation's historical relationship with a dominant religion, similar to the context of the Cold War that solidified the American motto's status.

Category:National symbols of the United States Category:United States law Category:Political slogans Category:1956 in American law