Fact Sheet

"In God We Trust" Project

Georgia Attorney General Official Opinion (2000-9) December 28, 2000 concludes "It is my opinion that neither O.C.G.A. 20-2-145 (respect for the creator portion of the character education program-Italics mine ) nor O.C.G.A. 50-3-4.1 (In God We Trust Poster - Italics mine) on its face violates the separation of church and state provisions of either the Georgia or the United States Constitution."

Character education implementation plan which includes "respect for the creator" adopted by Georgia State Board of Education August 1997.

During its 1997 session the Georgia Legislature passes O.C.G.A. 20-2-145 character education to include "respect for the creator."

State of Georgia authorizes [O.C.G.A. 50-3-4.1] school superintendents and administrative officials of the various institutions and agencies to display copies of "In God We Trust" in 1982. Chief sponsor was an attorney named G. Richard Chamberlin (D-73) who represented the Henry and Butts County area 1979-1982."50-3-4.1.

(a) Local school superintendents of the public schools in this state and the appropriate administrative officials of the various institutions and agencies of this state, provided that sufficient funds or the items themselves are available as provided in subsection (b) of this Code section, are authorized to place a durable poster or framed copy representing the following which may be displayed in each public elementary and secondary school library and classroom in this state and in each public building or facility in this state which is maintained or operated by state funds:

(1) Our national motto, "In God We Trust";

(2) A true and correct representation of the American flag, which shall be centered under the national motto; and

(3) A true and correct representation of the Georgia state flag.
(b) The copies or posters authorized by this Code section shall either be donated or shall be purchased solely with funds made available through
voluntary contributions to the local school boards in the case of displays in public schools or to the Georgia Building Authority in the case of displays in state buildings and facilities."

Legislation approved July 11, 1955, made the appearance of "In God We Trust" mandatory on all coins and paper currency of the United States.
"In God We Trust" became the national motto of the United States by Act of Congress July 30, 1956.
"36 USC Sec. 186, TITLE 36 - PATRIOTIC SOCIETIES AND OBSERVANCES, CHAPTER 10 - PATRIOTIC CUSTOMS, Sec. 186. National Motto - STATUTE - The national motto of the United States is declared to be 'In God we trust.'" Source: (July 30, 1956, ch. 796, 70 Stat. 732.)

IN GOD WE TRUST inscribed on the Washington Monument.
In Deo Speramus (In God We Trust) the motto of Brown University 1764.
"In God We Trust" Motto of the State of Florida.
According to Treasury Department records it appears that the first suggestion that God be recognized on U.S coinage can be traced to a letter addressed to the Secretary of Treasury from a minister in 1861.
An Act of Congress, approved on April 11, 1864, authorized the coinage of two-cent coins upon which the motto first appeared. One of the last Acts of Congress signed by President Lincoln. The motto was omitted from the new gold coins in 1907, causing a storm of public criticism. Legislation passed in May 1908 made "In God We Trust" mandatory on all coins on which it had previously appeared.
The phrase, "In God We Trust," appears opposite the President of the Senate, who is the Vice-President of the United States. The same phrase, in large words inscribed in the marble, backdrops the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
The Dirksen Office Building has the words, "IN GOD WE TRUST" inscribed in a bronze relief.


"In God We Trust" Project established  in 1999