The 4th verse of “The Star-Spangled Banner” inspired Congress, March 3, 1865, to place the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST” on the nation’s coins, as House Speaker Schuyler Colfax noted:
“The last act of Congress ever signed by President Lincoln was one requiring that the motto…’IN GOD WE TRUST’ should hereafter be inscribed upon all our national coin.”
The motto, “IN GOD WE TRUST,” was inscribed in the U.S. House Chamber above the Speaker’s rostrum; above the Senate’s main southern door; on a tribute block inside the Washington Monument; and on a stained-glass window in the U.S. Capitol’s Chapel.
On MARCH 3, 1931, Congress adopted Francis Scott Key’s “The Star-Spangled Banner,” as the National Anthem.
President Truman stated October 30, 1949:
“When the U.S. was established…the motto was ‘IN GOD WE TRUST.’ That is still our motto and we still place our firm trust in God.”
President Eisenhower remarked at a ceremony issuing the first stamp bearing the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST,” April 8, 1954:
“America’s greatness has been based upon a spiritual quality…symbolized by the stamp that will be issued today…Regardless of any eloquence of the words that may be inside the letter, on the outside he places a message:
‘Here is…the land that lives in respect for the Almighty’s mercy to us.’…Each of us, hereafter, fastening such a stamp on a letter, cannot fail to feel something of the inspiration that we do whenever we…read “IN GODWE TRUST.”
The same day, President Eisenhower stated to a Women’s Conference:
“I have just come from assisting in the dedication of a new stamp…The stamp has on it a picture of the Statue of Liberty, and on it also is stated ‘IN GOD WE TRUST’…
All of us mere mortals are dependent upon the mercy of a Superior Being…
The reason this seems so thrilling is…the opportunity it gives to every single individual who buys the stamp to send a message – regardless of the content of a letter…that this is the land of the free and ‘IN GOD WE TRUST.'”
President Eisenhower stated while marking the 75th Anniversary of the Incandescent Lamp, October 24, 1954:
“‘IN GOD WE TRUST.’ Often have we heard the words of this wonderful American motto. Let us make sure that familiarity has not made them meaningless for us. We carry the torch of freedom as a sacred trust for all mankind. We do not believe that God intended the light that He created to be putout by men.”
Eisenhower continued:
“Atheism substitutes men for the Supreme Creator and this leads inevitably to domination and dictatorship. But we believe – and it is because we believe that God intends all men to be free and equal that we demand free government.
Our Government is servant, not master, our chosen representatives are our equals, not our czars or commissars. We must jealously guard our foundation in faith.”
Eisenhower concluded:
“For on it rests the ability of the American individual to live and thrive in this blessed land -and to be able to help other less fortunate people to achieve freedom and individual opportunity. These we take for granted, but to others they are often only a wistful dream.”
On July 11, 1954, a month after the phrase “under God” was incorporated into the Pledge of Allegiance, Congress enacted Public Law 84-140 which put the motto, ‘IN GOD WE TRUST,’ on all national coins and currency.
In 1956, the phrase ‘IN GOD WE TRUST’ was legally adopted by Congress as the United States’ National Motto.
John F. Kennedy stated February 9, 1961:
“The guiding principle of this Nation has been, is now, and ever shall be ‘IN GOD WE TRUST.'”
President Reagan stated in his National Day of Prayer Proclamation, March 19, 1981:
“Our Nation’s motto ‘IN GOD WE TRUST’ – was not chosen lightly. It reflects a basic recognition that there is a divine authority in the universe to which this Nation owes homage.”
Reagan stated at a White House observance of National Day of Prayer, May 6, 1982:
“Our faith in God is a mighty source of strength. Our Pledge of Allegiance states that we are ‘one nation under God,’ and our currency bears the motto, ‘IN GOD WE TRUST.'”
Reagan said following a meeting with Pope John Paul II in Vatican City, June 7, 1982:
“Ours is a nation grounded on faith, faith in man’s ability through God-given freedom to live in tolerance and peace and faith that a Supreme Being guides our daily striving in this world. Our national motto, ‘IN GOD WE TRUST,’ reflects that faith.”
President George H.W. Bush met with Amish and Mennonites at Penn Johns Elementary School in Lancaster, PA, March 22, 1989.
When a Mennonite leader stated:
“We want to keep that theme, ‘IN GOD WE TRUST,’ which is stamped on our money,”
President Bush replied: “It’s staying there. Nobody can knock that off.”
President George H.W. Bush remarked on the National Day of Prayer, May 4, 1989:
“We are one nation under God. And we were placed here on Earth to do His work.
And our work has gone on now for more than 200 years in the Nation – a work best embodied in four simple words: ‘IN GOD WE TRUST.'”
William J. Federer is a nationally known speaker, best-selling author, and president of Amerisearch, Inc., a publishing company dedicated to researching America’s noble heritage.
To learn more about the author please visit William Federer
Featured image: Courtesy of AP Images
Leave a Reply