And in the famous case of **Vidal v. Girard’s Executors**, this Court… observed:
 “It is also said, and truly, that the Christian religion is a part of the common law…”

 If we pass beyond these matters to a view of American life as expressed by its laws, its business, its customs and its society, we find everywhere a clear recognition of the same truth.  Among other matters note the following: The form of oath universally prevailing, concluding with an appeal to the Almighty; the customs of opening sessions of all deliberative bodies and most conventions with prayer; the prefatory words of all wills, “In the name of God, amen”; the laws respecting the observance of the Sabbath, with the general cessation of all secular business, and the closing of courts, legislatures, and other similar public assemblies on that day; the churches and church organizations which abound in every city, town and hamlet; the multitude of charitable organizations existing everywhere under Christian auspices; the gigantic missionary associations, with general support, and aiming to establish Christian missions in every quarter of the globe.

 These, and many other matters which might be noticed, add a volume of unofficial declarations to the mass of organic utterances that this is a Christian nation… we find everywhere a clear recognition of the same truth.

 The happiness of a people and the good order and preservation of civil government essentially depend upon piety, religion and morality.

 Religion, morality, and knowledge [are] necessary to good government, the preservation of liberty, and the happiness of mankind.  [pp.599-601]

Arkansas Supreme Court (1905), was quoted by Supreme Court Justice David J. Brewer in his lecture, entitled, “The United States a Christian Nation.” The opinion they rendered in the case of Shover v. The State, 10 English, 263, included:

 This system of religion (Christianity) is recognized as constituting a part and parcel of the common law.  [p.28]

Congress of the United States of America (March 3, 1931), adopted The Star Spangled Banner as our National Anthem (36 U.S.C. Sec. 170). Written by Francis Scott Key, September 14, 1814, at the Battle of Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. The fourth verse is as follows:

 O! thus be it ever when free men shall stand
 Between their loved home and the war’s desolation;
 Blest with vict’ry and peace, may the Heav’n-rescued land
 Praise the Pow’r that hath made and preserved us a nation!
 Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just;
 And this be our motto, “In God is our trust!”
 And the star spangled banner in triumph shall wave
 O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Congress of the United States of America (July 20, 1956), by Joint Resolution, adopted Rep. Charles E. Bennett’s (FL) bill providing that the official national motto of the United States of America be:

** In God We Trust**  [p.175]

Congress of the United States of America (October 4, 1982), by a Joint Resolution of both the Senate and House of Representatives of the 97th Congress, declared 1983 the Year of the Bible:

 **Public Law 97-280**.  Whereas that renewing our knowledge of and faith in God through Holy Scripture can strengthen us as a nation and a people… The Bible, the Word of God, has made a unique contribution in shaping the United States as a distinctive and blessed nation… Deeply held religious convictions springing from the Holy Scriptures led to the early settlement of our Nation… Biblical teaching inspired concepts of civil government that are contained in our Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States.  [p.175]

Date Unknown

Constitution of the State of Pennsylvania stated:

 **Frame of Government,  Section 10**.   And each member [of the legislature], before he takes his seat, shall make and subscribe the following declaration, viz: “I do believe in one God, the Creator and Governour of the universe, the rewarder of the good and punisher of the wicked, and I do acknowledge the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be given by Divine inspiration.”  [p.504]