Make America's Symbol Bright Again

Let the light shine in the Great Seal, as the Founders clearly intended.


1782             1785

This is the only drawing of the Great Seal made by its designer, Charles Thomson. It shows how he envisioned the light breaking through the cloud surrounding the constellation of 13 stars. The first painting of the Eagle side was made 3 years later.

Both show the rays of light "breaking through a cloud,"
as Thomson specified in his written description of the Great Seal
approved by Congress on the same day he submitted it: June 20, 1782.

The bright rays of light symbolize what America experienced
during its struggle for independence, what Charles Thomson described as
"the many signal interpositions of providence in favor of the American cause."

As Secretary of the Continental Congress for 15 years, Thomson was in close contact with General Washington whose words no doubt inspired his Great Seal design. For example:

"I salute you Gentlemen most Affectionately, and beg leave to remind you, that Liberty, Honor, and Safety are all at stake, and I trust Providence will smile upon our Efforts, and establish us once more, the Inhabitants of a free and happy Country." – General George Washington (August 8, 1776)

The light rays are called a Glory and are usually golden colored. This important symbol was first suggested by Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson: the first Great Seal committee. Late on the afternoon of July 4, 1776, these esteemed authors of the Declaration of Independence were appointed "to bring in a device for a seal for the United States of America." Six weeks later, the official description of the design they submitted said:

"The Eye of Providence in a radiant Triangle whose
Glory extends over the Shield and beyond the Figures."

Four symbolic elements of this first committee's design are in
the final Great Seal: E Pluribus Unum • 1776 • Eye • Glory

The Glory is the only symbol on both sides of the final Great Seal approved six years later in 1782. On the reverse side is "an Eye in a triangle surrounded with a glory" in the zenith of a "pyramid unfinished."

"I am mortified beyond expression when I view the clouds
which have spread over the brightest morn
that ever dawned upon any Country."
– George Washington (1786)


1792

Thomas Jefferson helped design this Diplomatic Medal
that also accurately shows light "breaking through a cloud"
around the Constellation of 13 stars that Thomson said symbolizes
"a new State taking its place and rank among other sovereign powers."

President Thomas Jefferson's First Inaugural Address, 1801:

"The essential principles of our government... form the bright constellation, which has gone before us and guided our steps through an age of revolution and reformation... Should we wander from them in moments of error or of alarm, let us hasten to retrace our steps, and to regain the road which alone leads to peace, liberty and safety."


Masi Treaty-Seal of 1825

In 1882, for the 100th anniversary of the Great Seal,
the U.S. mint created the government's most accurate Great Seal:

1882 Centennial Medal: bronze, 2.5 inches

For the U.S. Bicentennial in 1976, John MacArthur commissioned popular commercial artists Terry Lamb and Rance Barela to create full-color realizations of the reverse side of the Great Seal with its two Latin mottoes translated into English:


1975             1976

In the spring of 2001, Americana artist Doris Sjogren Rowe and
John worked together to create the United Seal of America:

2001
Light Unites the Two Sides of America

In 2004, John commissioned and worked with wildlife artist Cy Hundley
to create this first-ever realization of Charles Thomson's vision of the
eagle side of the Great Seal – based on his written description and
preliminary sketch of an "American Eagle on the wing & rising":


1782                               2004

The light shines in the State Department's
current realization of the reverse side:

But in its realization of the eagle side, the rays of light are blocked by the clouds –
including in the die impressed on international documents signed by the President:

2025: Vision Requires Light.
It's high time we restore the light
to the Great Seal of the United States,
America's revolutionary vision statement.

Let the golden light break through the cloud
and extend over the American eagle,
as the Founders clearly intended.

John D. MacArthur • MMXXV• GreatSeal.com