E pluribus unum

High school (ages 12+)
People & Society

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/e-pluribus-unum

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the full latin phrase?E pluribus unum
2. What is the literal translation?Out of many, one
3. What does "E pluribus unum" mean?It means "Out of many, one" in Latin, showing that many different colonies became one country.
4. Why did the United States choose this motto?It was chosen in 1782 to show that the thirteen colonies could work together as a single nation.

Classical Latin: The formal, literary form of Latin used in ancient Rome, distinct from later variations.
De facto motto: A motto that functions as the official motto in practice, without formal legislative adoption.
Congress of the Confederation: The governing body of the United States under the Articles of Confederation, preceding the current U.S. Congress.
Great Seal of the United States: The official emblem of the U.S. government, used to authenticate official documents.