"E Pluribus Unum" was, for most of its history, the motto of the United States government. Along with Annuit Coeptis and Novus Ordo Seclorum, E Pluribus Unum was adopted to appear on the Great Seal of the United States in 1782. "E PLURIBUS UNUM", in capital letter spelling, is included on most U.S. currency, with some exceptions to the letter spacing (e.g. the U.S. dime reverse side). It is also stamped on the edge of the new 1 dollar coin. (See United States coinage and paper bills in circulation)
Translated from Latin, it most closely means "Out of many, (is) One." or "From many, (comes) One." Its Anglicized pronunciation is IPA: [ ˈi ˈpluɹɪbəs ˈjunəm ], Classical pronunciation IPA: [ ˈeːˈpluːribus ˈuːnum ]. It refers to the unity of the disparate states of the United States as well as (in modern times) the notion that the nation is a melting pot of peoples.
In 1956, the motto was changed to 'In God We Trust' (H.J. Resolution 396).
Usage on coins
E Pluribus Unum is a poem written by George Washington Cutter.
E Pluribus Unum is an album by the band Von Thornstahl.
E Pluribus Unum is also an album by Sandy Bull (died 2001), where the artist plays all the instruments (by means of multi-track recording).
In the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, the Wizard, who was blown into Oz from a state fair in Kansas, never refers to the United States by name, but calls it "the land of 'e pluribus unum.'"
It is also the motto of the Portuguese football (soccer) club Sport Lisboa e Benfica.
The meaning has been [further interpreted]
'E Pluribus Unum' can also be found at the bottom of the Statue of Freedom's iron globe stand, located atop the United States' Capital Dome.
It is the name of Nigerian rapper Modenine commercial album debut.
Also appears at the end of a short story by Philip K. Dick, "The Impossible Planet".
Conspiracy theorists may link the concept of "many" becoming "one" to the supposed Illuminati's one world government plan, which was supposedly fabricated shortly after the founding of America. That it is America's motto is a subtle indicator that from America, the wealthiest and most powerful families in the Western World will unite to control the lower classes.
Unume pluribus is the motto of Wokingham Borough Council in England.
