THE NATIONAL MOTTO OF THE UNITED STATES

First National Motto:
"E Pluribus Unum"
(1776-1956)

On July 4, 1776, our first Independence Day, the Continental Congress passed a resolution authorizing a committee including Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams to research and devise a National Motto as well a seal for their new Nation. On September 9th Congress gave that new Nation a name, calling it the "United States". During that meeting the motto "E Pluribus Unum" was generally accepted as the Nation's motto, though the official vote did not occur until later. Likewise, the adoption of a National Seal would not occur until much later.

Current National Motto:
"In God We Trust"
(1956-present)

On July 30, 1956 the Congress and President Eisenhower agreed to declare the words "In God We Trust" to be designated as the "national motto of the United States." (Title 36, Chapter 10, §186).

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