The Pledge of Allegiance

The Pledge of Allegiance

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.

The Pledge of Allegiance first appeared in the Youth's Companion on September 8, 1892. It was sent to all the schools in the country by President William Henry Harrison who asked that it would be a part of the National Public School Celebration of the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus' discovery of America in October 1892. It was said by more than 12,000,000 on that day.

Mr. Francis Bellamy of Rome, New York, is considered the author of the Pledge since he worked for the Youth Companion at the time it was published. He was responsible for organizing the celebration throughout the country and made certain that it was advertised. His original pledge was:

I pledge allegiance to my Flag
and to the Republic
for which it stands,
one nation, indivisible,
with liberty and justice for all.

The wording of the Pledge has been changed three times.

In 1923, the words "my flag" were changed to "the flag of the United States." In 1924, "of America" was added.
On June 22, 1942 the U.S. Congress added the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States Flag Code.
On Flag Day, 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower approved that the words "under God" were added. President Eisenhower is quoted as saying:

"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."

The Pledge of Allegiance is still recited by school children today. On June 20, 1985, President Reagan signed a law that the Pledge of Allegiance should be said at 7:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time every Flag Day, June 14th. After the 9-11 (2001) President Bush again organized all the children and the pledge was said in all the schools across the country at the same time.

When saying the Pledge, you should stand at attention facing the flag with your right hand over your heart, keeping your right arm at a right angle. Your fingers should be closed. Some people think that you should remove your right glove when saying the Pledge. All hats should be removed.

Red Skelton was a famous clown who grew up in Vincennes, Indiana. One of his teachers, Mr. Lawell, explained the meaning of the Pledge of Allegiance. When he grew up, Red Skelton remembered what Mr. Laswell said and he shared it with other people. To read and hear Red Skelton's commentary, click here.