![]() What Are the Origins of "In God We Trust"? The first motto in Florida was “In God is our Trust,” but it officially became In God We Trust as part of the state seal in 2006. The state of Florida adopted In God We Trust as part of its state seal by the Florida legislature in 1868. ![]() It began showing up on money starting in 1957, appearing first on the one-dollar bill. Eisenhower approved In God We Trust to become the American nation’s motto, a year after it was authorized and signed to be on all paper money and coinage through the Public Law 140 ( July 11, 1955). ![]() July 30, 1956 marked when Congress and then-President Dwight D. All coins made in the United States have displayed the motto since 1938. The Coinage Act of 1873, signed on February 12, 1873, stated that In God We Trust was to be on all coins, if there was room for the motto to fit.Ī Brief Disappearance, with a Valiant ReturnĪlthough In God We Trust hasn’t been entirely removed from currency since the Coinage Act of 1873, it was removed for a time, beginning in 1883, from the five-cent coin and made a return appearance in 1938 on the Jefferson nickel. It appeared on the gold half-eagle coin, the gold eagle coin, the gold double-eagle coin, the silver dollar coin, quarter dollar coin, half dollar coin, and, in 1866, the three-cent nickel coin. Fast forward almost a year later and another act by Congress was passed on March 3, 1865 with the motto being inscribed on all silver and gold coins. The first display of In God We Trust was on the two-cent coin in 1864. The name then had to be approved by Congress, which it was in the Act of April 22, 1864, which allowed the design change for the one-cent coin and minting of the two-cent coin. Secretary Chase replied back approving the designs and adding the suggestion of rephrasing it to In God We Trust. By December 1863, Pollock sent designs to Secretary Chase for the coins (one-cent, two-cent, and three-cent) with the options of Our Country, Our God and Our God, Our Trust. Watkinson’s request wasn’t too much to ask and contacted the director of the mint, James Pollock, in Philadelphia to create a motto with this sentiment in mind, stating this in a letter sent to Pollock on November 20, 1861. Mottos had always been on United States coins and currency due to an act by Congress signed on January 18, 1837, which stated also that legislation had to be done if a request was made to change those mottos. Watkinson mentioned, in his letter, for the words God, Liberty, and Law to be somewhere in the currency, as he felt God’s protection needed to be recognized during this difficult time for the nation. Watkinson, Minister of the Gospel, from Ridleyville, Pennsylvania. Chase began receiving petitions from several people of faith around the United States who wanted to put God’s name on the nation’s currency. On November 13, 1861, Secretary of Treasury Salmon P. So, it was evident that the nation’s division left many in need of hope and reassurance that God was there with them. ![]() It still is the one war in our history that sustained the most casualties, 620,000 deaths to be exact. "In God We Trust" Was Approved by Congress in 1864Īs many may recall, from 1861 to 1865, the United States was in the midst of a terrible inner war among its people called the Civil War, pitting the North against the South. It even went into law, becoming an intricate part of our nation’s history for life. It came into existence thanks to some strong Christians who felt a nation going through a painful, costly war needed a constant reminder about God and His provision, and this should be something we take note of every day. This is because it has a background that goes far beyond being a novelty logo or recognized as part of our currency. Despite efforts to remove In God We Trust from several places, the faith-based motto has stayed in our lives for centuries. In God We Trust is a phrase that we regularly see on our change and bills, while also gracing several of our car license plates, our government buildings, and even as tattoos on people’s bodies.
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