 Happy E Pluribus Unum Day! Well, this isn’t exactly a recognized day, but it should be. Shortly after the Declaration of Independence was approved on July 4, 1776, congress established a committee of three men to create an official seal for the newly formed country. John Adams, Ben Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson, three of the five men to serve on the committee that produced the Declaration, were chosen for this task. The three men each had a different idea of what should be pictured on the seal. Adams wanted a portrayal of Hercules. On one hand, virtue is pointing to the rugged mountains persuading him to ascend. On the other hand, sloth is glancing at her flowery paths of pleasure attempting to seduce him into vice. Ultimately, Adams agreed this would be too complicated of a scene to be put on a seal. Franklin suggested a depiction of Moses lifting his staff over the Red Sea with Pharaoh in his chariot being overwhelmed by the waters with the motto: “Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God.” Jefferson proposed the Israelites in the wilderness being led by a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. Since the three men could not agree what should be on the seal, they solicited the help of an artist in Pennsylvania. However, Adams, Franklin, and Jefferson did agree on the motto: E Pluribus Unum - “Out of many, one.” The motto refers to the creation of America out of many states. It reminds us also that America is the great melting pot made up of people from all over the world coming together to form one great nation. Adams, Franklin, and Jefferson submitted their proposed seal to congress on August 20, 1776. Unlike the Declaration of Independence which congress loved, they did not like the seal submission; however, they did keep the motto: E Pluribus Unum. It would take a few more years and a few more committees before congress would finally agree upon our Great Seal, but the motto stuck from the beginning - out of many, one. Adams, Franklin, and Jefferson are the embodiment to the truth that not everything you set out to accomplish in life is going to be liked or received. Set out to accomplish it anyway. You never know what might stand the test or time. Happy E Pluribus Unum Day!
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AuthorWaterbrook Christian Academy Staff Archives
September 2023
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