The History of “In God We Trust”
“In God We Trust” is the official motto of the United States, and one of the most recognizable U.S. national symbols. The phrase appears on American coins, paper money, and in government buildings across the country. Like many other symbols documented in the U.S. symbols encyclopedia, the motto has a long and complex history that reflects key moments in American life.
How It All Began
The motto first appeared on U.S. coins in 1864, during the Civil War. At the time, the nation was deeply divided, and religion played an important role in public life. In 1861, a Pennsylvania minister named Mark R. Watkinson wrote to Treasury Secretary Salmon P. Chase, suggesting that American money should include a reference to God.
Chase supported the idea. He instructed James Pollock, director of the Philadelphia Mint, to develop a short phrase expressing trust in God. Several versions were considered, including “God, Our Trust” and “God and Our Country.” Eventually, officials agreed on the wording “In God We Trust.”
First Coins and Early Years
The two-cent coin became the first U.S. coin to feature the motto in 1864. Congress authorized the change on April 22 of that year. Over time, the phrase appeared on additional denominations, including silver dollars, five-cent pieces, and gold coins.
However, the motto did not remain on every coin continuously. In 1907, President Theodore Roosevelt approved new coin designs that excluded “In God We Trust.” Roosevelt believed that placing God’s name on money used in everyday transactions was inappropriate. The decision caused public backlash, and Congress responded by passing a law in 1908 requiring the motto on all coins that had previously included it.
Paper Money Gets the Motto
For many decades, U.S. paper currency did not display the motto. That changed in the 1950s. On July 11, 1955, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation requiring “In God We Trust” to appear on all U.S. coins and paper money. The phrase first appeared on dollar bills in 1957, and within a few years it was printed on all denominations.
Becoming America’s Official Motto
The most significant milestone came in 1956. During the Cold War, the United States sought to distinguish itself from the Soviet Union, which promoted atheism and restricted religious expression. On July 30, 1956, President Eisenhower signed a law officially declaring “In God We Trust” the national motto of the United States.
This decision placed the motto alongside other enduring American national symbols, many of which are preserved and explained through educational projects such as USA Symbol. Around the same time, Congress added the words “under God” to the Pledge of Allegiance in 1954, reinforcing the country’s ideological contrast with communism.
Court Cases and Public Debate
The motto has faced legal challenges over the years. Critics argue that it violates the First Amendment by promoting religion. Supporters counter that the phrase has a ceremonial and historical role rather than a religious one.
Federal courts have consistently upheld the motto. In Aronow v. United States (1970), courts ruled that “In God We Trust” serves a patriotic purpose and does not establish an official religion. Judges emphasized its long-standing use and cultural significance.
Where You See It Today
Today, “In God We Trust” appears throughout American public life. It is displayed in schools, courthouses, government buildings, and on law enforcement vehicles. Several states have passed laws requiring the motto to be displayed in public schools or on official property.
The phrase remains controversial. Some Americans support its display as part of national tradition, while others prefer older expressions such as “E Pluribus Unum” (“Out of Many, One”), which served as an unofficial motto before 1956.
More than 160 years after its first appearance on a U.S. coin, “In God We Trust” continues to prompt discussion about faith, history, and the meaning of American identity. Like other official symbols of the nation, it reflects how historical events shape the values a country chooses to represent.
