News

By Thaddeus M. Baklinski

ANN ARBOR, MI, January 21, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The U.S. national motto “In God We Trust,” which is currently edge-incused on the Presidential one dollar coins, will soon return to its original, prominent position.

The motto “In God We Trust” first appeared on U.S. coins in 1864. Congress declared it the national motto in 1956.  It was included on dollar bills one year later. In March 2007, the Thomas More Law Center, based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, alerted Americans that the federal government had removed “In God We Trust” from the face of $1 Presidential coins and concealed it on the edge.

Concern was expressed from many quarters that removing the motto from the face of the coin was the first step to eliminating it altogether from currency. This culminated in Senators Sam Brownback, R-KS, and Robert Byrd, D-WV, introducing legislation to reinstate the motto to a more visible location on the coin.

“Since the colonial beginnings of the United States, citizens of this nation have officially acknowledged their dependence on God,” said Brownback last month. “It is important that our national motto, ‘In God We Trust,’ is prominently displayed on all of our currency. We should not relegate our heritage to the side.”

Now a report confirms that the legislation to restore the motto was signed into law on Dec. 26, 2007 as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2008, and the U.S. Mint has been instructed to begin placing the motto in a prominent location on the coins “as soon as is practicable.”

As reported by LifeSiteNews.com previously, a lawsuit filed in 2005 by self-proclaimed atheist Michael Newdow challenging the constitutionality of the American national motto was dismissed in federal court, the judge ruling that “the use of the national motto is patriotic and has no true resemblance to a governmental sponsorship of a religious exercise.”

Shortly thereafter the U.S. Senate passed a resolution reaffirming the national motto and calling on all American citizens “To commemorate, celebrate, and reaffirm the national motto of the United States on the 50th anniversary of its formal adoption.”

Related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:

Feds Erase “In God We Trust” From Face of Coins – Tiny Scratches on Edge Don’t Cut It
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2007/mar/07030802.html

Atheist’s Challenge to “In God We Trust” National Motto Dismissed by Federal Judge
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2006/jun/06061302.html

“In God We Trust” and Pledge of Allegiance Put on Trial Again
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2007/dec/07120514.html

U.S. Senate Passes Resolution Reaffirming National Motto: “In God We Trust”
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2006/jul/06071401.html