American History 101: In God We Trust

"No nation can be strong except in the strength of God, or safe except in His defense.
The trust of our people in God should be declared on our national coins."
-Salmon P. Chase
(1808-1873)
Sixth Chief Justice of the United States of America

During the time of the Civil War, when Americans fought other Americans on
blood-soaked battlefields across the South, Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase strongly
believed our war-torn nation should publicly proclaim trust in God.  In 1863, the
United States Congress passed legislation which approved the design of the
 slogan, "Our God and Our Country" on the front of a prototype 2 cents coin,
with the words, "In God We Trust" on the back.

Congress approved the design on April 22, 1864 and the first coins with
these mottos began to circulate that same year.   Although laws passed

 in 1865 and 1873 would remove the words, "Our God and Our Country" 
 "In God We Trust"  still remains on America's coins today.

In 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed into law a bill
which declared "In God We Trust" as America's official motto.
Under this legislation, Congress further authorized the use of this
 phrase, printed in capital letters, on all United States paper currency.

"In God We Trust"