E pluribus unum
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E pluribus unum was the first national motto of the United States of America. Translated from Latin, it means "From many, one" or "Out of many, one" (e=out of, from; pluribus=many; unum=one). It 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 symbolically has thirteen letters. The motto was selected by the first Great Seal committee in 1776, at the beginning of the American Revolution. Pierre Eugene DuSimitière originally suggested E pluribus unum as the motto.
In 1956, "In God We Trust" replaced E pluribus unum as the national motto according to United States Code, Title 36, Section 302. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the resolution into law on 30 July 1956 [link].
Origin of phrase
The phrase originally came from Moretum, a poem attributed to Virgil but with the actual author unknown, on the subject of a cheese, garlic and herb recipe. In the poem text, color est e pluribus unus describes the blending of colors into one.It 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 since 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.
In 1994, Al Gore stirred controversy by interpreting this motto as meaning "out of one, many" while promoting a multicultural model for American identity in a speech to the Institute of World Affairs.
Other uses
It is also the motto of a Portuguese soccer club Sport Lisboa e Benfica, as well as being imprinted on US coinage.See also
External links
- [Moretum text]
- [Student Association EPU] — E Pluribus Unum is also the name of the student association of American Studies at the University of Groningen (The Netherlands).
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