“E pluribus unum.” It is the aphorism inscribed in tiny lettering on the back of a one dollar bill, blazoned on the banner held in the mouth of the symbolic American eagle; it also states a principle on which the entire premise of the United States of America was built: out of many, one.

            The original significance behind the Latin motto had arisen from the idea that thirteen individual colonies united as one to gain independence from Britain, defeating the most powerful country of that era and thus sending shockwaves throughout the world; however, the saying on the back of the dollar and every coin has an even greater meaning. One of the additional aspects of the United States to which “e pluribus unum” applies is its oneness despite its diversity.  American citizens come in every shape, every size, every color, every religion. There is one uniting bond among such a motley group, however: we are all Americans. Despite our opposing views and differing backgrounds, since the founding of our country we have joined together to become, as stated by the Pledge of Allegiance, “one Nation under God, indivisible,” and with this unity, we have undoubtedly developed into the most powerful force on the planet.

            The message of “e pluribus unum” perhaps rings most loudly today in the post-9/11 age. On the day of that tragedy, terrorists launched an attack to topple the United States from its pedestal and to cause the mighty country to break apart and crumble. These terrorists were met with the contrary, however, as the new motto adopted by the U.S. became “united we stand.” Americans rose above their differences to mourn a common loss, and the true American spirit of “e pluribus unum” was further emphasized on that fateful day; as long as we are united, no one, not even terrorists, can undermine our might.

            It is this concept, that we are all different yet united and that because of this unity we are the most powerful nation on earth, which distinguishes the United States of America as the true manifestation of the power of one.  The principle that no group can achieve success without some kind of unity or oneness is one which our country has deeply valued since the days of our founding fathers, and it is reiterated to us every time we open our wallets by the tiny but certainly not trivial words on the back of the dollar bill: “E pluribus unum;” out of many, one.