The Great Seal and a Pyramid with its face lighted appear on the back of a dollar bill. The western side of the Pyramid is dark because our country was just beginning. It's uncapped to show that it will never be finished. Inside the pyramid is the all seeing eye, an ancient symbol for divinity. Ben Franklin believed one man couldn't do it alone, but a group with the help of God could do anything, so "IN GOD WE TRUST" is printed on our currency.
At the base of the pyramid are the Roman numerals for 1776, our birthday. The Eagle was chosen as a symbol because he's strong, not afraid of a storm and can soar above it. Carried in his beak are the Latin words, "E Pluribus Unum," meaning "From Many, One." His talons hold an olive branch and arrows which means we want peace, but we'll fight to preserve it. There are thirteen stars representing the original colonies. Some think 13 is an unlucky number.
Our Founding Fathers relied on God, not luck, to direct and lead them. There were 13 signatories to the Declaration of Independence, 13 stripes on our flag, 13 steps on the pyramid, 13 letters in "Annuit Coeptis," which means "God favors our undertaking," 13 letters in "E Pluribus Unum," 13 stars above the Eagle, 13 bars on the shield, 13 leaves on the olive branch, 13 fruits, 13 arrows and 13 stars in the right hand circle.
The 13 stars are arranged in the order of the Star of David, as directed by George Washington. Haym Solomon, a wealthy Philadelphia Jew, is credited with helping save the revolution through his contributions to the war effort. Solomon, who spoke eight languages, helped raise European funds for our cause. He was even arrested by the British as a spy at one point in the war. His generous giving reportedly caused Mr. Solomon to die a pauper.
When asked by George Washington what he would like as a personal reward for his generosity, Haym Solomon said he wanted nothing for himself but would like something for his people. The Star of David on our currency is that reward. That's part of the history of our Judeo-Christian connection. Most children don't know this because their teachers either don't know it or won't teach it. God bless the memory of Haym Solomon on this 4th of July.
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