Download Motto - US Citizenship Teachers

Motto of the United States
Reading from The Citizen’s Almanac USCIS 2010
O
n July 30, 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower approved a Joint Resolution of the
84th Congress officially establishing the phrase, “In God We Trust,” as the national motto of the
United States. “In God We Trust” replaced the phrase, E Pluribus Unum, which had been selected
as the Nation’s official motto in 1776.
The motto, “In God We Trust,” can be traced back nearly 200 years in U.S. history. During the
War of 1812, as the morning light revealed that the American flag was still waving above Fort
McHenry, Francis Scott Key wrote the poem that would eventually become our national anthem.
The final stanza of the poem read, “And this be our motto: ‘In God is our trust!’”
In 1864, Key’s phrase was changed to
“In God We Trust” and included on the
redesigned two-cent coin. The following
year, Congress authorized the Director of the Philadelphia
Mint to place the motto on all gold and silver coins. The
motto began appearing on all U. S. coins in 1938. “In God
We Trust” became a part of the design of U. S. currency
(paper money) in 1957. The Bureau of Engraving and
Printing has incorporated the motto on all currency since
1963.
“In God We Trust” is also engraved on the wall above the
Speaker’s dais in the Chamber of the House of
Representatives and over the entrance to the Chamber of
the Senate.
Circle the vocabulary words listed in the reading. Use the context to explain
what each word means.
approve
entrance
reveal
authorize
incorporate
trust
currency
phrase
wave
dais
motto
engrave
Vocabulary Exercise
Match the word with the best phrase:
_____ 1. phrase
A. depend on
_____ 2. wave
B. give permission
_____ 3. engrave
C. group of words
_____ 4. dais
D. move back & forth (or up & down)
_____ 5. authorize
E. include
_____ 6. incorporate
F. paper money
_____ 7. currency
G. place to go in
_____ 8. reveal
H. platform for a speaker
_____ 9. entrance
I. show
_____ 10. trust
J. write
Questions
(Some answers are found in the powerpoint presentation)
1. a. What was the first motto of the U.S.A.?
b. What does this mean in English?
c. Where was this motto used?
2. a. Name the person who wrote , “And this be our
motto: ‘In God is our trust.’”
b. When did he write this?
c. When was the motto changed to “In God we trust”?
d. When did this become the official motto of the U.S.A.?
e. Who was the President at that time?
3. a. Which motto is on coins?
b. Which motto is on paper money?
4. The motto “In God We Trust” is written on what important walls in Washington, D.C.?
(There are two answers)
5. What postage stamps had the motto? (See the powerpoint.)
6. Which state has the same motto as the U.S. A.?
(Remember the powerpoint.)
TheTeachersCorner.net
select
phrase
anthem
trust
Answers
God
currency
stanza
dais
mint
joint
Across:
Down:
1. paper money
2. part of a poem
4. cut into a hard surface
8. together
9. place for speaking
2. choose
3. group of words
5. depend upon
6. place to make coins
7. special song
10. the Almighty Creator
Crossword Puzzle Answer Key