Most Americans assume "In God We Trust" has been the nation's rallying cry since the Founding Fathers put pen to parchment. Not quite. This religious phrase didn't become the official U.S. motto until July 30, 1956, when President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed it into law during the Cold War—over 180 years after independence.

Before 1956, the de facto national motto was "E Pluribus Unum" ("Out of many, one"), which had appeared on the Great Seal of the United States since 1782. This Latin phrase celebrated unity from diversity, reflecting the colonies coming together as one nation. It was prominently featured on currency and government seals for generations.

Cold War Politics Changed Everything

The 1950s were peak Red Scare territory. Congress was obsessed with distinguishing America from "godless communism," and what better way than stamping God's name on everything official? In 1954, they'd already inserted "under God" into the Pledge of Allegiance. Two years later, they upgraded the motto itself.

The resolution passed both the House and Senate unanimously and without debate. Nobody wanted to be the politician who voted against God during the Cold War. That would've been career suicide.

The Phrase Had Earlier Roots

"In God We Trust" wasn't entirely new to American iconography. It first appeared on the two-cent piece back in 1864, during the Civil War. Union supporters pushed for religious language on coins to boost morale and emphasize their moral righteousness. By the early 1900s, it had spread to other denominations.

But there's a massive difference between slapping a phrase on pocket change and declaring it the official national motto. That formal elevation didn't happen until the Eisenhower administration made it law.

The following year, on October 1, 1957, "In God We Trust" appeared on paper currency for the first time. By 1957, the motto was mandated on all U.S. money, both coins and bills. Today, it's so ubiquitous that most people can't imagine American currency without it.

Not Everyone Was Thrilled

The change wasn't without controversy, even then. Some argued it violated the separation of church and state. Others felt it cheapened religious faith by turning it into a political weapon. But in the McCarthy era, those objections were drowned out by anti-communist fervor.

Ironically, the Founding Fathers—many of whom were deists or had complex views on organized religion—never felt compelled to reference God in the Constitution. They deliberately kept the document secular. Jefferson, Franklin, and their contemporaries preferred "E Pluribus Unum" because it emphasized shared civic identity rather than religious belief.

So next time you pull out a dollar bill, remember: that motto isn't a timeless American tradition. It's a 1950s addition, born from Cold War paranoia and political posturing. "E Pluribus Unum" was doing just fine for 174 years before getting replaced by four words that still spark debate today.

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