How “In God We Trust” Became America’s National Motto

Most Americans see 'In God We Trust' on currency every day, but few know it only became the official national motto in 1956-replacing 'E Pluribus Unum' during the height of the Cold War. The phrase's journey from Civil War-era coins to congressional resolution reveals a surprising intersection of religious sentiment, political strategy, and national identity that continues to spark debate today.

Every American dollar bill and coin bears the phrase 'In God We Trust', a declaration so ubiquitous that most people assume it has been part of American currency since the nation's founding. The reality is far more complex and recent. This motto didn't appear on U.S. money until the Civil War era, disappeared for decades, and only became the official national motto in 1956-a full 180 years after independence and at the height of Cold War tensions with the Soviet Union.

The story of how these four words came to represent the United States officially involves wartime anxiety, religious revival, political maneuvering, and an ongoing constitutional debate that continues today. Understanding this history reveals much about how American identity has evolved and how national symbols can change meaning across generations.

Origins During the Civil War

The phrase 'In God We Trust' first emerged as a potential national symbol during one of America's darkest periods: the Civil War. In November 1861, a Baptist minister from Pennsylvania named Reverend M. R. Watkinson wrote to Secretary of the Treasury Salmon P. Chase with an unusual request. Watkinson urged that the nation's currency recognize "the Almighty God in some form on our coins."

The minister's letter reflected widespread sentiment among Northern Christians who interpreted the war as a divine test. Watkinson argued that future generations might examine Civil War-era coins and question whether the nation had been a "heathen nation" based on the absence of religious acknowledgment on its money. His appeal resonated with Chase, who was himself deeply religious and saw the war through a moral and spiritual lens.

Secretary Chase instructed the Director of the Mint, James Pollock, to prepare a motto that would "express in the fewest words possible" this religious sentiment. Several variations were considered, including "God, Our Trust" and "God and Our Country," before the final phrase was selected. The choice of 'In God We Trust' was deliberate-it echoed the less direct religious references in "The Star-Spangled Banner," which includes the line "And this be our motto: 'In God is our trust.'"

First Appearance on U.S. Coins

The motto made its debut on U.S. currency in 1864 on the newly designed two-cent piece. This was not the nation's most prominent coin, which may have helped the innovation pass with relatively little controversy. The Act of April 22, 1864, which authorized the coin, was the first U.S. legislation to mandate a religious inscription on the nation's money.

Encouraged by this precedent, Congress passed additional legislation on March 3, 1865, authorizing the motto's use on other coins. The phrase began appearing on various denominations throughout the late 1860s and early 1870s, including:

• Gold coins: Double eagle, eagle, and half eagle
• Silver coins: Dollar, half dollar, and quarter
• Base metal coins: Five-cent nickel (added in 1866), three-cent nickel

However, the motto's presence was not consistent or mandatory across all currency during this period. Different coin designs came and went, and whether 'In God We Trust' appeared depended largely on the specific design and the discretion of mint officials.

Disappearance and Return to Currency

In a twist that surprises many Americans today, 'In God We Trust' actually disappeared from some U.S. coins in the early 20th century. When President Theodore Roosevelt commissioned the renowned sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens to redesign U.S. gold coins in 1907, the new designs omitted the motto entirely.

Roosevelt's reasoning was complex. He believed that placing God's name on coins that "are passed around in the ordinary transactions of everyday life" was actually sacrilegious and bordered on blasphemy. In his view, using the motto on money was taking the Lord's name in vain. He also favored the aesthetic purity of Saint-Gaudens' classical designs, which he felt the motto would diminish.

The public reaction was swift and negative. Religious groups, veterans' organizations, and members of Congress objected strongly to the motto's removal. The controversy became so heated that Congress passed legislation in 1908 making the motto's inclusion mandatory on all coins that had previously borne it. This was a significant shift-from optional to required by federal law.

From 1908 forward, 'In God We Trust' appeared consistently on most U.S. coins, though it would be nearly five more decades before it achieved full official status as the national motto and appeared on all currency.

The Cold War Context of 1956

To understand why 'In God We Trust' became the official national motto in 1956, you must understand the Cold War atmosphere of the 1950s. The United States was locked in an ideological struggle with the Soviet Union, and American leaders sought ways to distinguish democratic capitalism from communist atheism.

The 1950s witnessed a significant religious revival in American public life. Church membership and attendance reached historic highs. Religious leaders like Billy Graham held massive crusades. Books on faith became bestsellers. Politicians increasingly framed the Cold War as not just a political conflict, but a spiritual battle between godly America and godless communism.

This period saw several initiatives to emphasize America's religious character:

• 1954: Congress added "under God" to the Pledge of Allegiance
• 1956: 'In God We Trust' became the official national motto
• 1956: 'In God We Trust' began appearing on all U.S. currency

These changes weren't merely symbolic-they represented a deliberate effort to define American identity in opposition to Soviet communism. Supporting these measures became a way for politicians to demonstrate their patriotism and anti-communist credentials during the era of McCarthyism and the Red Scare.

Official Adoption as National Motto

On July 30, 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed Public Law 84-851, which declared 'In God We Trust' to be the national motto of the United States. The resolution had passed both houses of Congress with overwhelming support and virtually no debate-a testament to the political climate of the time.

The push for this legislation came primarily from Representative Charles E. Bennett of Florida, who introduced the bill. Bennett argued that the nation needed an official motto that reflected its spiritual foundation, particularly in contrast to atheistic communism. In floor debates, supporters emphasized that the motto acknowledged a "universal God" rather than promoting any specific religion.

Interestingly, the United States had functioned for 180 years without an official motto, though 'E Pluribus Unum' (Out of Many, One) had served as the de facto motto since the Founding Fathers selected it for the Great Seal in 1782. The 1956 law didn't explicitly replace 'E Pluribus Unum,' but the new motto quickly took precedence in official contexts.

The legislation was brief and straightforward, stating simply: "The national motto of the United States is hereby declared to be 'In God We Trust.'" No elaborate justification was provided in the text itself, and the measure passed with such consensus that detailed congressional debate was minimal.

Expansion to Paper Money

While 'In God We Trust' had appeared on coins since 1864, it was absent from paper currency until much later. Following its designation as the national motto in 1956, Congress moved quickly to mandate its appearance on all U.S. money.

A law approved on July 11, 1955 (just before the motto's official designation) had already made it mandatory for the phrase to appear on all currency and coins. However, implementation on paper money took time due to the logistics of redesigning and printing currency. The motto began appearing on paper currency gradually:

• 1957: First appeared on $1 Silver Certificates
• 1963: Extended to Federal Reserve Notes
• 1966: Appeared on all denominations of U.S. paper currency

Today, every bill printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing bears the motto, typically appearing prominently on the front of each note. Its placement has become so standard that most Americans would immediately notice if it were absent.

Legal Challenges and Court Rulings

Given the First Amendment's prohibition on government establishment of religion, it's perhaps surprising that 'In God We Trust' has survived multiple legal challenges. However, courts have consistently upheld the motto's constitutionality using reasoning that some find persuasive and others find problematic.

The most significant case was Aronow v. United States (1970), in which the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the motto does not violate the Establishment Clause. The court's reasoning included several key points:

• The motto has "patriotic or ceremonial character" and no true theological significance
• It does not constitute government establishment of religion
• It falls under "ceremonial deism"-religious language that has lost genuine religious content through rote repetition

This doctrine of ceremonial deism has been applied to various religious references in American civic life, from "under God" in the Pledge to legislative prayers. Critics argue this reasoning is contradictory-claiming a phrase is both religiously significant enough to keep and religiously insignificant enough to be constitutional.

Other notable cases include:

• Gaylor v. United States (1996): Rejected on the same grounds as Aronow
• Newdow v. Congress (2006): Challenged both the motto and "under God" in the Pledge; courts ruled against the plaintiff
• Freedom From Religion Foundation cases (2011, 2013): Multiple challenges dismissed

The Supreme Court has never directly ruled on the motto's constitutionality, as it has declined to hear appeals in these cases. Legal scholars note that the court has shown reluctance to eliminate long-standing ceremonial acknowledgments of religion in public life, even when strict application of Establishment Clause doctrine might suggest they're problematic.

What Happened to 'E Pluribus Unum'?

Before 1956, the phrase 'E Pluribus Unum' (Latin for "Out of Many, One") served as America's unofficial national motto. Chosen by the Founding Fathers in 1782 for the Great Seal of the United States, this motto eloquently captured the essence of the American experiment: creating one nation from many states and peoples.

'E Pluribus Unum' appears prominently on:

• The Great Seal of the United States (still in use today)
• Many U.S. coins (alongside 'In God We Trust')
• Official government documents and buildings

When 'In God We Trust' was designated the official motto in 1956, 'E Pluribus Unum' was not formally replaced or eliminated. It simply lost its primary status. Many historians and constitutional scholars point out the irony: the Founders' motto emphasized unity through diversity and made no religious reference, while the 1956 motto emphasizes religious faith and was adopted specifically to distinguish America from atheist nations.

Some Americans, particularly those concerned about religious pluralism and separation of church and state, have advocated for restoring 'E Pluribus Unum' as the national motto. They argue it better represents America's diverse population and founding principles. However, such efforts have gained little political traction, as any attempt to change the motto would likely face accusations of being anti-religious or unpatriotic in the current political climate.

Modern Debates and Perspectives

More than six decades after its adoption, 'In God We Trust' remains a source of ongoing debate in American society. The controversy reflects deeper tensions about the role of religion in public life, the meaning of the First Amendment, and the definition of American identity in an increasingly diverse nation.

Supporters of the motto argue:

• It reflects America's religious heritage and the faith of most Americans
• It acknowledges a "universal God" rather than promoting a specific religion
• It has historical significance dating to the Civil War
• Removing it would erase an important part of American tradition
• It distinguishes American values from atheistic ideologies

Critics of the motto contend:

• It violates separation of church and state and excludes non-believers
• It marginalizes Americans who follow non-theistic religions or no religion
• It was adopted during Cold War hysteria, not through reasoned debate
• It contradicts the Founders' deliberate choice of a secular motto
• It inappropriately mingles religion with government authority

Recent decades have seen several developments in this ongoing debate. Some state legislatures have passed laws requiring the motto's display in public schools, prompting local controversies. In 2011, the House of Representatives reaffirmed 'In God We Trust' as the national motto by a vote of 396-9, largely as a symbolic gesture during debates over American identity.

Polling data shows that most Americans support keeping the motto, though support varies significantly by age, religiosity, and political affiliation. Younger Americans and those who are religiously unaffiliated are more likely to support changing or removing it. The percentage of Americans claiming no religious affiliation has grown substantially since 1956-from roughly 3% to nearly 30%-making the motto's religious character more controversial than when it was adopted.

Ultimately, 'In God We Trust' serves as a reminder that national symbols are not timeless artifacts from the founding era but rather evolve through political processes, reflecting the values and anxieties of particular historical moments. Whether the motto will maintain its status in coming decades or eventually face serious reconsideration remains an open question in America's ongoing negotiation of religious pluralism and national identity.