For many years, "
E Pluribus Unum" served as our nation's unofficial motto.
In an opinion piece on the matter that ran in The Washington Post, Lynn wrote, "I'd like to see us get back to the spirit of '
E Pluribus Unum,' but I also know that the cur-rent legislative fetish for what some scholars call 'civil religion' makes that well nigh impossible.
"
E Pluribus Unum is Latin for 'Out of many, one,'" said Lynn.
coins with "
E Pluribus Unum" or "Unum E Pluribus" (one from many) were the New Jersey coppers in 1786; some experimental pattern Confederation coppers, including a Washington likeness in 1786; and the New York Brasher gold doubloons and Excelsior coppers in 1787.
The letter adds, "We call on Baptists to recommit themselves to the nation's founding principle of '
E Pluribus Unum.' A society based on unity out of diversity will embrace every child and recognize the vital role public schools play in achieving national unity."
The other half shows a spread eagle grasping olive branch and arrows in its talons, a scrolled
E Pluribus Unum in its beak, and the thirteen stars of the colonial states forming one large star above its head.
It allows schools to display "In God We Trust" and "
E Pluribus Unum" posters and even mandates the size--11-by-14-inches.
* An anti-terrorism bill in South Carolina contains an unusual feature: a provision requiring public schools to post "In God We Trust" and "
E Pluribus Unum." The bill, which deals primarily with criminal justice issues, is pending before the House Judiciary Committee.
As our first national motto -
E Pluribus Unum - put it, we are one nation out of many peoples.