When was In God We Trust Added to Money?

The phrase In God We Trust has been intertwined with American culture, particularly visible on its currency. Understanding the historical context and legislative processes that introduced this phrase can provide insights into its significance.

The Historical Context

The origin of the phrase In God We Trust on American money dates back to the mid-19th century. During the Civil War, there was a heightened interest in adding a religious sentiment to U.S. currency. This was partly due to the influence of increased religious sentiment in American society at the time. The movement to include God in money was driven by certain religious groups and individuals who felt that the nation should formally recognize a divine element.

First Appearance on Coins

The first instance of In God We Trust appearing on American money was in 1864. It was authorized by an act passed by Congress, heavily influenced by Treasury Secretary Salmon P. Chase. Chase received numerous appeals from devout individuals lobbying for the addition of a reference to God on American coins. In response, he directed the U.S. Mint to come up with a suitable phrase. In God We Trust was chosen and was first utilized on the two-cent coin, which made its debut in 1864.

Legislation and Expansion

The Coinage Act of 1873 further established the phrase on more coin denominations. However, it wasn’t universal across all forms of U.S. money. The inclusion of the motto was discretionary and often varied with the changes in coin design and other adjustments in monetary policy. Over the years, the motto appeared and disappeared from various coins and was subject to the whims of different administrations.

Addition to Paper Currency

The significant shift came during the height of the Cold War. A period marked by ideological battles between the United States and the Soviet Union, where the latter was seen as promoting atheism. To underscore the United States’ position as a nation built on religious freedoms and values, there was a renewed push to include In God We Trust on all U.S. currency, not just coins.

In 1955, Congress passed a bill to mandate the use of In God We Trust on all currency, including paper notes. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed this change into law on July 30, 1956. By the following year, 1957, the phrase started appearing on paper currency, beginning with the $1 silver certificate.

In God We Trust as the National Motto

Simultaneously, another significant legislative change happened. In 1956, the 84th Congress passed a joint resolution declaring In God We Trust as the national motto of the United States. This action was also signed into law by President Eisenhower on July 30, 1956. It reinforced the use of the phrase not only in a monetary context but also as a broader element of national identity.

Controversies and Legal Challenges

Despite its widespread use, In God We Trust has not been without controversy. Throughout the years, there have been several legal challenges against its presence on currency. Critics argue that it violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, which prohibits the government from making any law “respecting an establishment of religion.”

Supporters, on the other hand, maintain that the phrase is a reflection of the national heritage and doesn’t necessarily promote a specific religious doctrine. The courts have generally sided with maintaining the motto. In cases like Aronow v. United States (1970), the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the motto has spiritual and psychological value and doesn’t violate the Constitution.

Modern-Day Perspectives

Today, In God We Trust remains a ubiquitous part of American currency. Most U.S. coins and bills prominently feature the phrase. The national debate continues on its appropriateness in a diverse and increasingly secular society. However, it endures as a reminder of periods in American history when the nation sought to assert a particular character through its currency.

Understanding when and why In God We Trust was added to money provides a clear lens through which to view broader societal values and transformations in the United States. This simple phrase encapsulates complex interactions between governance, society, and religion throughout American history.

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