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The Pledge of Allegiance

“I pledge allegiance to my flag and the Republic for which it stands — One nation indivisible — with liberty and justice for all “

This was written in September of 1892 by Francis Bellamy for “The Youth’s Companion” magazine in Boston. The phrase was printed on leaflets and sent to schools throughout the United States.

The first organized use of the Pledge of Allegiance came on 12 Oct 1892, when some 12 million American school children recited it to commemorate the 400-year anniversary of Columbus’ voyage.

The original salute, first described in 1892 to accompany the Pledge authored by Bellamy, began with a military salute, and after reciting the words “to the flag,” the arm was extended toward the flag.

At a signal from the Principal the pupils, in ordered ranks, hands to the side, face the Flag. Another signal is given; every pupil gives the flag the miliary salute — right hand lifted, palm downward, to a line with the forehead and close to it. Standing thus, all repeat together, slowly, “I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands; one Nation indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.” At the words “to my Flag,” the right hand is extended gracefully, palm upward, toward the Flag, and remains in this gesture till the end of the affirmation; whereupon all hands immediately drop to the side.

This was modified and was commonly started with the right hand over the heart, and after reciting “to the Flag,” the arm extended toward the Flag, palm-down. However during World War II, this salute too much resembled the Nazi salute, so it was changed to keep the right hand over the heart throughout.

In 1923, the first National Flag Conference in Washington D.C. voted to change the words “my flag” to “the Flag of the United States of America”, added in fear of immigrant children interpreting “my flag” as the flag of their motherland.

Congress officially recognized the Pledge of Allegiance in 1942, but in 1943, the Supreme Court ruled that public school students could not be forced to recite it.

The words “under God” were added in 1954 by then President Eisenhower, who stated at the time: “In this way we are reaffirming the transcendence of religious faith in America’s heritage and future; in this way we shall constantly strengthen those spiritual weapons which forever will be our country’s most powerful resource in peace and war”.

“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, One Nation under God Indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for All”