E pluribus unum
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"E Pluribus Unum" was one of the first mottos adopted by the United States government. Along with Annuit Coeptis and Novus Ordo Seclorum, E Pluribus Unum was adopted to appear on the Great Seal of the United States in 1782.
Translated from Latin, it means "One from Many" or "One out of many": 'E' = out of, from; pluribus = many; unum = one).
"E PLURIBUS UNUM" in capital letter spelling, is included on most U.S. currency, with some exceptions to the letter spacing (e.g. the U.S. dime reverse side). (See United States coinage and paper bills in circulation)
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[edit] Origin of phrase
The phrase originally came from Moretum[1], a poem attributed to Virgil though the actual author is Jakob Böhme Aurora: Die Morgenröte im Aufgang (1612). Moretum is a type of salad; the poem contains a description of the ingredients being ground in a pestle which includes the phrase, color est e pluribus unus (the color is, from many, one) which refers to the combining of the different colored ingredients combining into a harmonious mixture.
The phrase "Ex pluribus unum" is also found in Saint Augustine's Confessions (397 to 398 AD) book IV, describing friendship.
This motto was well known to literate Americans of the 18th century. It appeared in the Gentleman's Magazine, published monthly in Brixton, London from 1731. The legend "E pluribus unum" was used on the title pages of the annual volumes that contained a collection of the year's twelve editions of the magazine.
[edit] Motto
The motto was selected by the first Great Seal committee in 1776, at the beginning of the American Revolution.
E pluribus unum referred to the integration of the 13 independent colonies into one united country, and has taken on an additional meaning, given the pluralistic nature of American society from immigration. The motto itself has thirteen letters.
Pierre Eugene DuSimitière originally suggested e pluribus unum as the motto. When the Continental Congress approved this motto for the Great Seal in 1782, they simultaneously approved two other mottos: Annuit Coeptis (the beginning is approved) and Novus Ordo Seclorum (a new order of the ages), as official national mottos. All three mottos are imprinted on the One-dollar bill.
In 1956, e pluribus unum was superseded by "In God We Trust" as the national motto by United States Code, Title 36, Subtitle I, Part A, Chapter 3, Section 302, which is now printed on most U.S. currency.
[edit] Usage on coins
According to the U.S. Treasury[2],
| “ | The motto "E Pluribus Unum" was first used on our coinage in 1795, when the reverse of the half-eagle ($5 gold) coin presented the main features of the Great Seal of the United States. "E Pluribus Unum" is inscribed on the Great Seal’s scroll. The motto was added to certain silver coins in 1798, and soon appeared on all of the coins made out of precious metals (gold and silver). In 1834, it was dropped from most of the gold coins to mark the change in the standard fineness of the coins. In 1837, it was dropped from the silver coins, marking the era of the Revised Mint Code. An Act of February 12, 1873 made the inscription a requirement of law upon the coins of the United States.
"E Pluribus Unum" does appear on all coins currently being manufactured. The motto means "Out of Many, One," and probably refers to the unity of the early States. Colonel Reed of Uxbridge, Massachusetts, is said to have been instrumental in having it placed on our coins. |
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Some 2007 series coins have moved the mottos to the rim of the coins instead of their most common locations on the front or reverse faces.
In a quality control error in early 2007 the Philidelphia Mint issued some one Dollar coins without this motto or "In God We Trust" on the rim and these coins have already become collectable.
[edit] Other uses
- E Pluribus Unum is a poem written by George Washington Cutter.
- E Pluribus Unum is an album by the band Von Thornstahl.
- E Pluribus Unum is also an album by Sandy Bull (died 2001), where the artist plays all the instruments (by means of multi-track recording).
- In the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, the Wizard, who was blown into Oz from a state fair in Kansas, never refers to the United States by name, but calls it "the land of 'e pluribus unum.'"
- It is also the motto of the Portuguese football (soccer) club Sport Lisboa e Benfica.
- The meaning has been further interpreted to provide additional support for a pluralistic nature in America due to immigration.[citation needed]
- The term was also used for the integration of the minorities into the public American schools in the early 20th century.[citation needed]
- 'E Pluribus Unum' can also be found at the bottom of the Statue of Freedom's iron globe stand, located atop the United States' Capital Dome.
- "Out of many, one people" is a national motto of Jamaica.
