In the Star-Spangled Banner as presented, which phrase serves as the motto in the fourth stanza?

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Multiple Choice

In the Star-Spangled Banner as presented, which phrase serves as the motto in the fourth stanza?

In the fourth stanza, the line that is presented as the nation’s motto is the phrase “In God is our trust.” The stanza explicitly labels this line as the motto, followed by the famous promise that the star-spangled banner will wave in triumph. This makes it clear that the line is meant to represent the country’s guiding sentiment at that moment. The other options come from different patriotic contexts, not from this stanza. For example, “One nation under God, indivisible” and “Liberty and justice for all” are associated with the Pledge of Allegiance, while “E pluribus unum” is a traditional motto tied to the Great Seal and broader national symbolism. While these phrases are emblematic of American ideals, they do not appear in the fourth stanza of the Star-Spangled Banner, so they don’t fit the question about the motto found there.

In the fourth stanza, the line that is presented as the nation’s motto is the phrase “In God is our trust.” The stanza explicitly labels this line as the motto, followed by the famous promise that the star-spangled banner will wave in triumph. This makes it clear that the line is meant to represent the country’s guiding sentiment at that moment.

The other options come from different patriotic contexts, not from this stanza. For example, “One nation under God, indivisible” and “Liberty and justice for all” are associated with the Pledge of Allegiance, while “E pluribus unum” is a traditional motto tied to the Great Seal and broader national symbolism. While these phrases are emblematic of American ideals, they do not appear in the fourth stanza of the Star-Spangled Banner, so they don’t fit the question about the motto found there.

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