The National Motto

The motto was derived from the line 'And this be our motto, "In God is our trust"' in the U.S. national anthem, 'The Star-Spangled Banner.' The phrase first appeared on U.S. coins in 1864 and became obligatory on all U.S. currency in 1955. In accordance with Public Law No. 851 passed at the Second Session of the 84th Congress of the United States, July 30, 1956, the national motto of the United States became "In God We Trust."