This Day in American History — In God We Trust
A history of our national motto.
On September 13, 1814, while being held prisoner in Baltimore harbor during the War of 1812, Francis Scott Key penned the words to “The Star-Spangled Banner” as he viewed the battle for Fort McHenry. The 4th verse reads:
> “O thus be it ever when free men shall stand,
Between their loved home and the war’s desolation;
Blest with victory and peace, may the Heaven-rescued land,
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just;
And this be our motto ‘IN GOD IS OUR TRUST’!
And the Star Spangled Banner in triumph shall wave,
Over the land of the free and the home of the brave!”
“In God We Trust” became an inspirational motto for American military units.
On March 3, 1865, Congress voted to approve the motto ‘IN GOD WE TRUST’ for all U.S. coins. Notably, it was the last act of Congress ever signed by Abraham Lincoln.
On October 24, 1954, Dwight Eisenhower declared, “‘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. Atheism substitutes men for the Supreme Creator and this leads inevitably to domination and dictatorship. 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. 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.”
On March 3, 1931, Congress adopted “The Star-Spangled Banner” as our National Anthem.
On July 11, 1955 President Eisenhower signed H.R. 619 to include “IN GOD WE TRUST” on all U.S. currency.
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.’” June 7, 1982, Ronald Reagan noted, “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.”
“Endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights…”
And a final word: “God who gave us life gave us Liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, that His justice cannot sleep forever.” —Thomas Jefferson (1774)
