by Faiza Ahmad

Created on: February 17, 2007

Pull out a one-dollar bill and look at it. What do you see besides apiece of cotton and linen blended and overprinted with symbols? On the front we see the treasury seal at the top, and the scales for a balanced budget, but it's not the front of the dollar bill we should be focusing on. It's the back. The two large circles that compromise the Great Seal Of The United States of America have left much to speculate about. So I ask how well do you know the dollar bill?

On July 4, 1776 our forefathers united on the very same day the thirteen states decided to unite, and declare themselves an independent nation To celebrate this newly found independence they began the search for the perfect emblem that would represent the United States of America. And so the search began.

The overseers of the design were found in three separate committees: the first consisting of Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, assigned artist Pierre Eugne Du Simitire, to convey their vision. The artist presented the seal, which was accepted by the committee on August 20, 1776. On March 25, 1780 the second committee was formed and went on to hire the assistance of Francis Hopkinson whom designed a copy of the American flag as-well as several congressional symbols. Hopkinson's second design consisted of several key items kept in the final version of the dollar bill: such as the olive branch; the shield of thirteen stripes; the constellation of thirteen stars and arrows. On May 4, 1782 the third, and final committee, consisting of Elias Boudinot, Arthur Middleton and John Rutledge was formed. William Barton was the final artist assigned by the third committee. And so the dollar bill was in its final stages. On June 13, 1782, Charles Thomson was handed the three separate committees final designs and set to work. Thompson incorporated all three designs, as well as his own visionary one, to complete the dollar bill we hold today.

Now, it is these very symbols that have led to much controversy. Controversies questioning even the core of our forefather's beliefs? Why the all Seeing Eye, the Egyptian pyramid, what is the significance of the number thirteen? These questions lead to only place with similarly questionable symbols Freemasonry.

Freemasonry is one of the oldest and largest fraternal organizations in the world. Its members must, "be of good moral character, be loyal to your country, and posses a desire to help others through community service and universal benevolence," to name

• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next Page >>