American Minute - Mar. 3 - The National Motto

American Minute
with
Bill Federer

"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!"

This 4th verse of the National Anthem inspired Congress, MARCH 3, 1865, to place the motto on the nation's coins.

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."

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."

JFK stated February 9, 1961:

"The guiding principle of this Nation has been, is now, and ever shall be IN GOD WE TRUST."

Reagan stated March 19, 1981:

"Our Nation's motto...reflects a basic recognition that there is a divine authority in the universe to which this nation owes homage."