In God We Trust: A Nation's Motto Stamped on Coinage
Congress mandates that "In God We Trust" appear on all U.S. coins, embedding a national motto into everyday commerce for the first time. This legislative act transformed the phrase from a Civil War rallying cry into a permanent fixture of American economic life, ensuring every transaction carried a specific religious affirmation.
April 22, 1864
162 years ago
Key Figures & Places
What Else Happened on April 22
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Pedro Álvares Cabral's fleet stumbled onto Brazil's coast, instantly shifting Portugal's colonial ambitions from a purely Asian trade route to a vast South Amer…
Henry VIII ascends to the English throne upon his father's death, instantly transforming a quiet prince into a young king with grand ambitions. His coronation l…
Hernán Cortés founded Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz, establishing the first Spanish municipality on the Mexican mainland. By creating this legal entity, he bypasse…
They sold the Moluccas for 350,000 ducats to fix a map error. Portugal got the spice islands; Spain got nothing but a line drawn through empty ocean. Two kings …
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