# "In God we trust" - when added, and who initiated? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 12, 2003, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-god-we-trust-when-added-and-who-initiated/194710 "2003-08-12T19:38:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dorfl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/59ef9b/32.png) [@dorfl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dorfl)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2003, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-god-we-trust-when-added-and-who-initiated/194710/1 "2003-08-12T19:38:00Z")
In the 50’s, probably as a reaction to the perceived notion that communist = atheist, the U.S.A. changed the state motto from “e pluribus unum” (out of many, one) into “in God we trust”. This was followed by additional changes, as similar phrases to “in god we trust” were (I think) added to other, formerly secular, items and statements, such as [ul] [li]the Pledge of Alligiance[/li][li]Oath for judges[/li][li]Paper money[/li][/ul] Now, this is a question forum, not a debate, ok? We can have the debate over there —\> [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=7](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=7) (1) When exactly were these phrases added? (2) Who initiated it - I assume there had to be some legislation (3) Any other statements that were changed? Thanks and HAND ---
**Author:** ![maralinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@maralinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maralinn)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2003, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-god-we-trust-when-added-and-who-initiated/194710/2 "2003-08-12T20:06:31Z")
You need to go back to the 1800s, not the 1950s. [http://www.ustreas.gov/education/fact-sheets/currency/in-god-we-trust.html](http://www.ustreas.gov/education/fact-sheets/currency/in-god-we-trust.html) ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2003, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-god-we-trust-when-added-and-who-initiated/194710/3 "2003-08-12T20:15:46Z")
And for those too lazy to click the link, the motto “In God We Trust” has appeared on most U.S. coins since the Civil War, and all U.S. coins since 1938. ---
**Author:** ![dorfl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/59ef9b/32.png) [@dorfl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dorfl)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2003, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-god-we-trust-when-added-and-who-initiated/194710/4 "2003-08-12T20:27:11Z")
Ah, excuse me, no, not 1850’s **Coins** had the phrase for a long time. However, it was not the **State motto** , nor was it on the Pledge, or paper money, or the judge’s oath. :eek: that happened after WW2 So the question remains… HAND ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2003, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-god-we-trust-when-added-and-who-initiated/194710/5 "2003-08-12T20:50:09Z")
“In God We Trust” was made the US motto by Act of Congress in 1952. ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2003, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-god-we-trust-when-added-and-who-initiated/194710/6 "2003-08-12T21:00:20Z")
I was not aware that “In God we trust” had been added to the Pledge. ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2003, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-god-we-trust-when-added-and-who-initiated/194710/7 "2003-08-12T21:10:55Z")
“In God We Trust” became the national motto of the United States by Act of Congress, signed by President Eisenhower on July 30, 1956 (not 1952). ---
**Author:** ![maralinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@maralinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maralinn)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2003, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-god-we-trust-when-added-and-who-initiated/194710/8 "2003-08-12T21:12:29Z")
Do you have a specific question about the motto “In God we trust” that the above link doesn’t answer? If so, perhaps you should simply ask it. If you have questions about “under God” in the Pledge, have you looked here? [http://history.vineyard.net/pledge.htm](http://history.vineyard.net/pledge.htm) [http://www.hklaw.com/publications/newsletters.asp?NewsID=&ID=306%20&Article=1693](http://www.hklaw.com/publications/newsletters.asp?NewsID=&ID=306%20&Article=1693) (The second gives the statute.) ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2003, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-god-we-trust-when-added-and-who-initiated/194710/9 "2003-08-12T21:25:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Walloon \* > \*\*“In God We Trust” became the national motto of the United States by Act of Congress, signed by President Eisenhower on July 30, 1956 (not 1952). \*\* Sorry…typo.