In God We Trust facts for kids
"In God We Trust" is the official motto of the United States of America. The U.S. Congress made it the national motto in 1956. Before that, the country's unofficial motto was "E Pluribus Unum." This Latin phrase means "From Many, One."
The famous song "The Star-Spangled Banner" has a line similar to "In God We Trust." Francis Scott Key wrote this song in 1814. It later became the U.S. National Anthem. The song's last part says: "...And this be our motto: "In God is our trust.'"
You probably see this motto often on U.S. money! The first U.S. coin to have "In God We Trust" was the two-cent piece in 1864. It didn't appear on paper money until the 1950s.
The motto has been on the one-cent coin since 1909. It has also been on the Dime since 1916. All U.S. gold coins and silver dollar coins, half-dollar coins, and quarter-dollar coins have had it since July 1, 1908.
"In God We Trust" is also the official state motto of Florida. You can find it on the Seal of Florida.
Contents
History of the Motto on Money
Why "In God We Trust" Appeared on Coins
The motto In God We Trust was added to U.S. coins because of strong religious feelings. These feelings grew during the American Civil War. Many religious people wrote to Salmon P. Chase, who was the Secretary of the Treasury. They asked that the United States recognize God on its coins.
The first letter asking for this was sent on November 13, 1861. This information comes from the records of the Treasury Department.
Images for kids
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The back of the Morgan dollar coin shows "In God we trust."
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An 8¢ postage stamp from 1954. The motto is written around the Statue of Liberty's head.
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The Grand Army of the Republic Memorial in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. It has "IN GOD WE TRUST" carved into it.
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An optional license plate from South Carolina. It was designed in 2002.
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Mississippi's standard license plate design (as of 2021). "IN GOD WE TRUST" is at the bottom of the state seal.
See also
In Spanish: In God we trust para niños
