On Memorial Day We Also Remember "In God We Trust" From Ben Franklin to President Eisenhower.

Ben Franklin's faith in God grew stronger as he saw the hand of providence in so many of the events that lead to the founding of our country. "The longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth-that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the Ground without his Notice, is it probable that an Empire can rise without his Aid?" said 80+ year old Ben Franklin at the Constitutional Convention encouraging his colleagues to look to that God for help. 

The same thing happened with who many consider the best President we've ever had, Dwight D. Eisenhower.  From the Eisenhower Library in Abilene:

"In the 1950s the United States was experiencing a postwar upsurge in religious activity and interest.
Religious leaders, such as Norman Vincent Peale, Fulton J. Sheen, and Billy Graham, attracted large
followings. Church membership rose from only 43% of the U.S. population in 1920 to a peak of 69%
by 1960. It fell back to 63% by 1970. A 1954 survey showed that 9 out of 10 Americans believed in
the divinity of Christ. During the Cold War years religion was seen by many as playing an important
role in the struggle against Communism.

"When Dwight D. Eisenhower entered the political arena in 1952 he had never belonged to any
organized church. One reason he gave for this was the fact that he was subject to constant relocation
during his military career. However, he believed himself to be a ―deeply religious‖ man. After his
election as President he was baptized and joined the National Presbyterian Church. The Eisenhowers
frequently attended this church during the eight years of his administration.

"After being sworn in as President on January 20, 1953, Dwight D. Eisenhower began his first
Inaugural Address with a prayer he had composed. During his administration, the phrase ―under
God‖ was added to the Pledge of Allegiance and Congress adopted "In God We Trust" as our
national motto. As president Eisenhower spoke many times about the importance of religious faith as
an ―essential foundation stone‖ for democracy, and he supported such programs as the American
Legion‘s ―Back to God‖ campaign. He expressed the belief that man was a spiritual being and that
God was ―the author of individual rights.‖ Cabinet meetings were begun with a moment of silent
prayer, and he had frequent meetings with religious leaders, such as Rev. Edward Elson, Francis
Cardinal Spellman, and Billy Graham. Some historians have referred to Eisenhower‘s use of
religious ideas, concepts, and symbols as the promotion of a civil religion..."

DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER LIBRARY
Abilene, Kansas 67410
July 2001