“In God We Trust” is the official motto of the United States of America. It began appearing on banknotes in the second half of the 19th century, when religious sentiment became widespread in the country. Then-Treasury Secretary Salmon P. Chase received many letters from devout Christians who wanted some depiction of God on the currency.
The Motto “In God We Trust” Was Conceived by the USA Treasury Secretary
The first such letter was written on November 13, 1861, by Reverend M. R. Watkinson of Ridley Township in Pennsylvania.
“Dear Sir: You are about to submit your annual report to Congress regarding the state of national finances.
One aspect of our currency has thus far been seriously overlooked. I am referring to the recognition of Almighty God in some form on our coins.
You are likely a Christian. What if our Republic were now shattered beyond recognition? Would not the antiquaries of succeeding centuries rightly reason from our past that we were a heathen nation? What I propose is that instead of the Goddess of Liberty we shall have next inside the 13 stars a ring inscribed with the words ‘perpetual union’; within this ring, the all-seeing eye crowned with a halo; beneath this eye, the American flag, bearing in its field stars equal to the number of the States united; in the folds of the bars the words ‘God, liberty, law.’
This would make a beautiful coin, to which no possible citizen could object. This would relieve us from the ignominy of heathenism. This would place us openly under the divine protection we have personally claimed. From my heart, I have felt our national shame in disowning God as not the least of our present national disasters.
To you first I address a subject that must be agitated.”
The Secretary of the Treasury responded to the letter and tasked the director of the Philadelphia Mint, James Pollock, to suggest an appropriate motto. After an exchange of several letters, the motto was eventually proposed by Secretary Chase himself. It was “In God We Trust”. The inscription appeared on the one-cent, two-cent, and three-cent coins after the appropriate law was passed on April 22, 1864.
The motto began to appear on dollar bills only in 1955, when the relevant law was passed. Moreover, since 1956, “In God We Trust” has been the official motto of the United States. It can also be found on public buildings, most often in schools.
Contribute with Your Question or Personal Experience