E pluribus unum — Latin for "Out of many, one" — is a historic motto closely tied to the United States, famously emblazoned on the Great Seal alongside other Latin phrases. Its inclusion on the seal was proposed by Pierre Eugene du Simitiere in 1776 and officially approved by Congress in 1782, where it remained the nation's de facto motto until "In God We Trust" was formally adopted in 1956. The phrase's 13 letters are deeply symbolic, representing the original Thirteen Colonies that came together to form a single new nation, a theme also echoed in the stripes of the American flag. Its literary roots extend far back into antiquity, drawing from a blending-of-colors metaphor in the Appendix Virgiliana, as well as paraphrases by St. Augustine and Cicero, before appearing in 18th-century London periodicals that inspired its use. Beyond the seal, the motto has appeared on U.S. coins since 1786 (struck in New Jersey) and adorns official items like passports, presidential seals, and numerous government insignia, symbolizing the union of diverse states into one republic.