E Pluribus Unum | Encyclopedia.com (2024)

gale

views updated May 11 2018

"E PLURIBUS UNUM" (Out of many, one), motto featured on the Great Seal of the United States. After declaring independence, the Continental Congress appointed Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson to devise a seal. In consultation with Swiss-born artist Pierre Eugène du Simitière, they selected E Pluribus Unum, motto of the popular London-based anthology, Gentleman's Magazine, to emblematize the diversity of the American people. Scholars have not located the exact phrase in classical literature, but Virgil's Moretum contains a similar expression. Subsequent committees kept this motto, but substituted an eagle for the proposed heraldic shield. Adopted by Congress on 20 June 1782, the Great Seal appears on numerous currencies, seals, and flags.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

McDonald, Forrest. E Pluribus Unum: The Formation of the American Republic, 1776–1790. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1976. A history of the critical period taking E Pluribus Unum as its theme.

Patterson, Richard S., and Richardson Dougall. The Eagle and the Shield: A History of the Great Seal of the United States. Washington, D.C.: Office of the Historian, Bureau of Public Affairs, Department of State, under the Auspices of the American Revolution Bicentennial Administration, 1976. The most thorough history of the Great Seal, its origins, components, and official uses.

Benjamin H.Irvin

See alsoSeal of the United States .

Dictionary of American History Irvin, Benjamin H.

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Pluribus Unum, E Latin phrase, ‘out of many, one’, selected as the motto for the American national seal in 1776 by a committee consisting of Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin.

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable ELIZABETH KNOWLES

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E Pluribus Unum | Encyclopedia.com (2024)

FAQs

What does E Pluribus Unum mean? ›

E Pluribus Unum – “out of many, one” – was first featured on the original 1776 design of the Great Seal of the United States and was formally adopted by the U.S. Congress as our nation's official motto in 1782. The Latin phrase reminds us that from the original Thirteen Colonies emerged a single nation.

Why is the U.S. motto E Pluribus Unum? ›

Meaning of the motto

The meaning of the phrase originated from the concept that out of the union of the original Thirteen Colonies emerged a new single nation. It is emblazoned across the scroll and clenched in the eagle's beak on the Great Seal of the United States.

Does E Pluribus Unum mean in God we trust? ›

Some people today refer to E Pluribus Unum (EPU hereafter) as our traditional or “de facto” motto because “Out of many, one” was removed from our currency in 1956 after an act of Congress declared “In God we Trust” (IGWT hereafter) our new national motto and placed this new phrase on all paper currency.

What does the Latin word pluribus mean? ›

/eɪ ˌplʊərɪbəs ˈuːnəm/ /eɪ ˌplʊrɪbəs ˈuːnəm/ ​a Latin phrase, meaning 'one from many', which was chosen for the Continental Congress when a single country was created from the thirteen colonies.

Is E Pluribus Unum still used today? ›

In 1786, the U.S. Mint produced the first coins marked with “E Pluribus Unum.” Today, the motto can be found on U.S. currency, on official documents, and across federal buildings. In a broader context, “E Pluribus Unum” connotes the many cultures of the melting pot of America coming together to form one union.

What does E Pluribus Unum mean on a dollar bill? ›

E pluribus unum is the phrase printed on US dollar bills that means “Out of many, one” referring to the idea that the many states make one nation. E is the preposition in the phrase, translating to “out of.”

What does In God We Trust mean? ›

Originally used on coins during the Civil War and later adopted as the official motto of the United States in 1956, the meaning of "In God We Trust" denotes that the political and economic prosperity of the nation is in God's hands.

What does unum stand for? ›

1986: Union Mutual changes its name to Unum. 1989: Unum becomes the first to offer group long term care coverage. 1990: Unum completes the U.K. acquisition of NELPHI and renames it Unum Limited (now Unum UK) the following year.

What does E Pluribus Unum mean on a silver dollar? ›

: out of many (states or colonies), one (nation) used on the Great Seal of the U.S. and on several U.S. coins.

Who uses E Pluribus Unum? ›

E Pluribus Unum maintains its prominent role in our Great Seal, and appears on the seals of the executive branch (President and Vice-President), the legislative branch (House and Senate), and the judicial branch (Supreme Court), as well as military flags and uniforms (Army and Navy), and official documents, such as ...

What does E Pluribus Unum mean in Hebrew? ›

E Pluribus Unum: “Out of the Many, One

What is the USA motto? ›

The national motto ``In God We Trust'' was officially adopted as the United States' national motto by a law passed by the 84th Congress. Public Law 84-851 (36 U.S.C. Sec. 302) provides that ```In God we trust' is the national motto.

Why was e pluribus unum replaced? ›

The change from "E Pluribus Unum" to "In God we trust" was generally considered uncontroversial at the time, given the rising influence of organized religion and pressures of the Cold War era in the 1950s.

What is the English equivalent for e pluribus unum? ›

The motto of the United States is E Pluribus Unum Latin for “Out of Many, one.”

What does 3 pluribus unum mean? ›

Out of many, one.” This is the literal translation for the motto of the United States of America. It was a motto suggested by a committee on July 4, 1776.

Is America's motto in God We Trust? ›

The national motto ``In God We Trust'' was officially adopted as the United States' national motto by a law passed by the 84th Congress. Public Law 84-851 (36 U.S.C.

What does unum in Latin mean? ›

unum. unus Adjective = one, single, alone.

How much is ae pluribus unum worth? ›

All the Morgan Silver Dollars are going to have the E Pluribus Unum on them, that isn't going to make a difference in the value…the mint mark and the condition will determine the value…if it is just a common mint and average condition its going to be worth about $20-$25.

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