THE U.S. DOLLAR BILL (A history lesson for our citizens in the United States of America) Take out a one-dollar bill and look at it. The one-dollar bill you're looking at first came off the presses in 1957 in its present design. This so-called paper money is, in fact, a cotton and linen blend, with red and blue minute silk fibers running through it. It is actually material. We've all washed it without it falling apart. A special blend of ink is used, the contents of which we will never know. It is overprinted with symbols and then it is starched to make it water resistant and pressed to give it that nice crisp look. If you look on the front of the bill, you will see the United States Treasury Seal. On the top you will see the scales for the balance - a balanced budget. In the center you have a carpenter's T-square, a tool used for an even cut. Underneath is the Key to the United States Treasury. That's all pretty easy to figure out, but what is on the back of that dollar bill is something we should all know. If you turn the bill over, you will see two circles. Both circles,together, comprise the Great Seal of the United States. The First Continental Congress requested that Benjamin Franklin and a group of men come up with a Seal. It took them four years to accomplish this task and another two years to get it approved. If you look at the left-hand circle, you will see a Pyramid. Notice the face is lighted and the western side is dark. This country was just beginning. We had not begun to explore the West or decided what we could do for Western Civilization. The Pyramid is uncapped, again signifying that we were not even close to being finished. Inside the capstone you have the all-seeing eye, and ancient symbol for divinity. It was Franklin's belief that one man couldn't do it alone, but a group of men, with the help of God, could do anything. "IN GOD WE TRUST" is on this currency. The Latin above the pyramid, ANNUIT COEPTIS, means "God has favored our undertaking." The Latin below the pyramid, NOVUS ORDO SECLORUM, means "A new order has begun." At the base of the pyramid is the Roman Numeral for 1776. If you look at the right-hand circle, and check it carefully, you will learn that it is on every National Cemetery in the United States. It is also on the Parade of Flags Walkway at the Bushness, Florida, National Cemetery and is the centerpiece of most hero 's monuments. Slightly modified, it is the seal of the President of the United States and it is always visible whenever he speaks; yet, almost no one knows what the symbols means. The Bald Eagle was selected as a symbol for victory for two reasons: first, he is not afraid of a storm; he is strong and he is smart enough to soar above it. Secondly, he wears no material crown. We had just broken from the King of England. Also, notice the shield is unsupported. This country can now stand on its own. At the top of that shield you have a white bar signifying Congress, a unifying factor. We were coming together as one nation. In the Eagle's beak you will read, "E PLURIBUS UNUM," meaning "one nation from many people." Above the Eagle you have 13 stars representing the 13 original colonies, and any clouds of misunderstanding rolling away. Again, we were coming together as one. Notice what the Eagle holds in his talons. He holds an olive branch and arrows. This country wants peace, but we will never be afraid to fight to preserve peace. The Eagle always wants to face the olive branch, but in time of war, his gaze turns toward the arrows. They say that the number 13 is an unlucky number. You will usually never see a room numbered 13, or any hotels or motels with a 13th floor. But, think about this: 13 original colonies, 13 signers of the Declaration of Independence, 13 stripes on our flag, 13 steps on the Pyramid, 13 letters in the Latin above, 13 letters in "E PLURIBUS UNUM," 13 stars above the Eagle, 13 plumes of feathers on each span of the Eagle's wing, 13 bars on that shield, 13 leaves on the olive branch, 13 fruits, and, if you look closely, 13 arrows. And for minorities: the 13th Amendment. "Why don't we know this?" Have we forgotten the reasons we were founded? Have we forgotten the cost of our foundation, and the cost to defend our country, her principles and her values? Most children don't even know this and their history teachers don't know this. Too many veterans have given up too much to ever let the meaning and knowledge of the principles of our foundation fade. GOD BLESS AMERICA
Thanks, Bill. I took out my dollar bill and checked it out. That is some cool stuff. God bless America! Dustin
Bill, My wife is a high school teacher. I'm going to print a copy of this and give it to her to take to school Monday. Nice piece of info. Manny
Brad, do you ever have anything nice to say. Quit being such a jerk. At least he took the time to post it. I've yet to see you post anything of interest or topical. All you do is criticize.
Bill, it is better late, than never...again thanks for the post I too have printed it out and will share it with family and friends. tml
Nice peice. Thank you. <I>, "E PLURIBUS UNUM," meaning "one nation from many people." </I> You are correct in the meaning of this phrase in its context. The phrase translates from Latin to "From many, one". When designed, it referers more to the creation of the United States from 13 different states than referring to people all over the world or all over Britan's North American colonies. In the 1700's, the States acted more like small nations than as provinces of a nation. They printed their own money, raised their own armies, etc. It just goes to show the genius of the founding fathers to build a nation with terms written that works just as well 227 years later.
Hey Guys! Cool it! Nothing is to be gained by calling each other names or getting into flame wars. Everybody loses that way, not just those doing the fighting. Let's play nice. It's better that way, believe me.
