Great Seal > Mottoes > E Pluribus Unum "On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord." – President Barack Obama, Inaugural Address E PLURIBUS UNUM – Origin and Meaning of the Motto Carried by the American Eagle "E Pluribus Unum" was suggested by the committee Congress appointed on July 4, 1776 to design "a seal for the United States of America." The below sketch of their design accompanied a detailed description of their idea for the new nation's official emblem. A motto's purpose is to express the theme of a seal's imagery – especially that of the shield. The center section of their shield has six symbols for "the Countries from which these States have been peopled:" the rose (England), thistle (Scotland), harp (Ireland), fleur-de-lis (France), lion (Holland), and an imperial two-headed eagle (Germany). Linked together around the shield are 13 smaller shields, each with the initials for one of the "thirteen independent States of America." Translating E PLURIBUS UNUM The general meaning of each Latin word is clear: Pluribus is related to the English word: "plural." Unum is related to the English word: "unit." E Pluribus Unum describes an action: Many uniting into one. An accurate translation of the motto is "Out of many, one" – a phrase that elegantly captures the symbolism on the shield. On August 20, 1776, this first committee submitted their design to Congress (including Ben Franklin's idea for a reverse side). Although their designs were not approved (and two subsequent committees would be appointed), their motto was selected by Charles Thomson six years later when he created the final Great Seal in 1782 and inscribed E PLURIBUS UNUM on the scroll carried in the beak of the American bald eagle who carries the "power of peace" in his right talon. In his official explanation of the Great Seal, Thomson said this motto refers to the union between the states and federal government, as symbolized by the shield of thirteen stripes on the eagle's breast. Other symbols of unity on the Great Seal: Bundle of 13 Arrows Constellation of 13 Stars (More about the number thirteen.) In the 1770s, symbols of unity were seen in many places, especially on the money. See emblems on Continental Currency that inspired and reflected E Pluribus Unum. "We may not look the same and we may not have come from the same place, but we all want to move in the same direction – towards a better future for our children and our grandchildren.... This nation is more than the sum of its parts, that out of many, we are truly one." – Barack Obama, "A More Perfect Union," Philadelphia, March 18, 2008 Watch America's two sides unite. Explore GreatSeal.com. Reconnect with the spirit of unity that gave birth to the United States. Main sections of the site's 76 pages Learn the origin and meaning of the other MOTTOES: Novus Ordo Seclorum | Annuit Coeptis Examine the SYMBOLS on the Seal's Two Sides: Dynamic imagery from nature and history. Includes clickable image map. See Preliminary DESIGNS for the Great Seal: Ideas suggested by three committees (1776-1782). Recognize MYTH and Misinformation: Don't let America's emblem become a casualty of lore. See why PEACE is Patriotic: "The power of peace" as a founding principle. Great Seal SIGHTINGS: American symbols in the news, wise and otherwise. Get an overview on the Front Page. GreatSeal.com is created and ©2009 by John D. MacArthur.