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History
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Not as Old as You Think: How 'In God We Trust' Became America's Motto During the Cold War
In God We Trust became the official U.S. motto in 1956, replacing the long-standing "E Pluribus Unum." This change, driven by Cold War anxieties, aimed to distinguish the United States from the state atheism of the Soviet Union, embedding religious sentiment into national identity.
Most Americans assume the phrase "In God We Trust" has been the nation's motto since its founding. Stamped on currency and etched into public buildings, it feels like a permanent fixture of American identity. However, this ubiquitous phrase only became the official motto on July 30, 1956. For over 170 years prior, the United States identified with a different, secular ideal: "E Pluribus Unum."
A Motto Forged in Unity: "E Pluribus Unum"
Adopted in 1782 for the Great Seal of the United States, "E Pluribus Unum" is Latin for "Out of many, one." It beautifully captured the spirit of the young nation—a single, unified republic formed from thirteen distinct colonies. This motto spoke to a political and social reality, emphasizing unity and cooperation without any religious reference. It was the de facto national motto, a symbol of a pluralistic society striving for a common goal.
The Seeds of a New Motto
The phrase "In God We Trust" was not born in the 1950s. Its roots can be traced to the final stanza of Francis Scott Key's 1814 poem, "The Star-Spangled Banner," which contains the line, "And this be our motto: 'In God is our trust!'" The sentiment gained significant traction during the Civil War, a period of immense national turmoil and heightened religious fervor. In 1864, seeking to express the nation's faith during a dark time, Congress approved the inscription of "In God We Trust" on U.S. coins, starting with the two-cent piece.
The Cold War Shift
The elevation of "In God We Trust" from a coin inscription to the official national motto was a direct consequence of the Cold War. In the 1950s, the United States was locked in an ideological battle with the Soviet Union, which promoted state atheism as a core tenet of communism. American leaders sought to draw a sharp contrast between American values and "godless communism." This led to a nationwide push to publicly affirm a belief in God. It was the same motivation that led to the addition of the words "under God" to the Pledge of Allegiance in 1954.
Florida Representative Charles E. Bennett, who sponsored the bill to make "In God We Trust" the official motto, framed it as a matter of national security and identity:
In these days when imperialistic and materialistic communism seeks to attack and destroy freedom, we should continually look for ways to strengthen the foundations of our freedom.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower agreed. On July 30, 1956, he signed the bill into law, officially replacing the secular "E Pluribus Unum" with the religious "In God We Trust."
From Motto to Money
A year before the motto became official, Congress had already passed a law in 1955 requiring the phrase to be printed on all American currency. The first paper bills bearing the new motto were the one-dollar silver certificates issued in 1957. Over the next several years, the phrase was progressively added to all denominations of U.S. paper money, solidifying its place in the daily lives of Americans.
A Lasting Legacy and Debate
The change from "E Pluribus Unum" to "In God We Trust" remains a topic of debate. Critics argue it violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, which calls for a separation of church and state. Proponents, however, defend it as a reflection of the nation's religious heritage. Courts have consistently upheld the motto's constitutionality, often citing the concept of "ceremonial deism"—the idea that such phrases have lost their specific religious meaning and now serve a secular, patriotic purpose. Regardless of one's view, the history of the motto is a powerful reminder that national identity is not static; it is often reshaped by the anxieties and aspirations of the era.