How a Latin phrase for a salad dressing became the motto of a nation
In short: Before it defined the American union, the phrase E pluribus unum described the blending of colors and even the ingredients of a simple herb spread. Adopted for the Great Seal of the United States in 1782, this ancient sentiment evolved from a literary curiosity into a symbol of national identity.
The motto E pluribus unum, meaning 'Out of many, one,' was the original unofficial motto of the United States. Its path to the Great Seal was anything but direct. When the Continental Congress declared independence in July 1776, they immediately appointed a committee—including Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson—to design a national seal. While their initial proposals were tabled, the motto, seemingly contributed by Franklin, persisted through three separate committees before Charles Thomson, the secretary of Congress, finalized the design in 1782.
The phrase itself has a long history, appearing in ancient texts like the Appendix Virgiliana, where it described the mixing of colors. It also echoes philosophical concepts from Pythagoras and Cicero regarding the bonds of friendship that unite individuals into a single society. By the 18th century, the motto was familiar to readers of the London-based Gentleman's Magazine, which used it to signify the collection of various articles into one periodical. This literary background provided a fitting metaphor for the American project: the union of thirteen distinct colonies into one sovereign nation.
Beyond the Great Seal, the motto became a fixture of American currency. While early state-authorized coins in New Jersey featured the phrase as early as 1786, it officially appeared on U.S. coinage in 1795 on the half-eagle gold coin. Its presence on money has fluctuated over centuries due to changes in minting codes and standards, but the Coinage Act of 1873 eventually mandated its inclusion. Today, it remains a core element of the national emblem, appearing on passports and the seals of the highest branches of the federal government, serving as a constant reminder of the nation's foundational aspiration to forge unity from diversity.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: E Pluribus Unum | Meaning, History, Evolution, & Relevance | Britannica
- Also: E pluribus unum
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