“In God We Trust” coinage anniversary2026 · Date · History
U.S. Mint and Library of Congress history identify 22 April 1864 as the date Congress authorized the motto on the two-cent coin. That supports an anniversary anchor; it does not establish a federal holiday called “In God We Trust Day.”
About “In God We Trust” coinage anniversary
April 22 is a historical anniversary of the 1864 U.S. law that enabled the motto “In God We Trust” to appear on the two-cent coin.
This is a coinage-history anniversary anchor, not a federal public holiday called “In God We Trust Day.”
Why “In God We Trust” coinage anniversary matters
The date is useful for tracing the legal and numismatic history of the motto in the United States.
The 1864 coinage authorization and the later 1956 declaration of a national motto are separate legal milestones.
History of “In God We Trust” coinage anniversary
On April 22, 1864, Congress passed legislation giving the Mint director authority over the shape, mottos and devices of the one- and two-cent coins.
The U.S. Mint records that “In God We Trust” appeared on the bronze two-cent piece in 1864, the first appearance of the motto on a U.S. coin.
Congress expanded authority for use of the motto on coinage in 1865.
On July 30, 1956, Congress declared “In God we trust” the national motto; the Library of Congress notes that it first appeared on paper money in 1957.
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
8 fields not established in reviewed sources
Later institutional actions
Later recognition, renaming, mergers or date changes are kept separate from original establishment.
Also known as
In God We Trust Day, In God We Trust anniversary
How to Observe “In God We Trust” coinage anniversary
Use April 22 as the anniversary of the 1864 coinage legislation.
Keep the 1864 coinage milestone separate from the 1956 national-motto law.
For historical discussion, rely on U.S. Mint and Library of Congress chronology rather than implying a formal recurring holiday.
Use neutral descriptive language when discussing the motto’s religious and civic history.
“In God We Trust” coinage anniversary Facts
The anniversary date is April 22.
Congress passed the relevant coinage legislation on April 22, 1864.
The U.S. Mint says the motto first appeared on the bronze two-cent piece in 1864.
Congress declared “In God we trust” the national motto on July 30, 1956.
No federal public holiday called “In God We Trust Day” is established by these sources.
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
- Faith Context Respect.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
Library of Congress (opens in a new tab)
Library of Congress — In God We Trust (opens in a new tab)
Federal Library Legal History
U.S. Mint — historical timeline (opens in a new tab)
Federal Agency History
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is “In God We Trust” coinage anniversary?
22 April The documented recurrence rule is: 22 April anniversary of the 1864 coinage authorization..
Does “In God We Trust” coinage anniversary fall on the same date every year?
Yes. It uses a fixed annual date unless stronger evidence changes the pattern.
Is “In God We Trust” coinage anniversary an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: United States / anniversary of the 1864 law authorizing the motto on coinage. That recognition does not by itself make it a statutory public holiday; the site only makes public-holiday claims when reliable evidence explicitly does so.
Who established or recognizes “In God We Trust” coinage anniversary?
The documented basis is: U.S. Mint and Library of Congress history identify 22 April 1864 as the date Congress authorized the motto on the two-cent coin. That supports an anniversary anchor; it does not establish a federal holiday called “In God We Trust Day.”. Supporting evidence includes U.S. Mint — historical timeline. The site does not infer a separate creator or founder unless reviewed evidence establishes one.
Is “In God We Trust” coinage anniversary international or country-specific?
This observance is specific to United States. Its fuller verified scope is: United States / anniversary of the 1864 law authorizing the motto on coinage.
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-09-10.
Why is April 22 associated with “In God We Trust”?
It is the anniversary of the April 22, 1864 federal coinage law tied to the motto’s first appearance on the two-cent coin.
Did the motto become the national motto in 1864?
No. The 1864 law is a coinage milestone; Congress declared “In God we trust” the national motto in 1956.
Is “In God We Trust Day” a U.S. federal holiday?
The federal sources used here support a historical anniversary, not a federal public holiday by that name.
Other observances on April 22
These observances are also listed on April 22, 2027.
Earth Day
EARTHDAY.ORG’s current 2026 page identifies Earth Day 2026 as Wednesday, 22 April.
International Girls In ICT Day
International Mother Earth Day
A/RES/63/278
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