In 1888 a magazine called
The Youth Companion urged it's
young readers to send in pennies
to buy United States flags for
their schools. It was such a success
that 30,000 flags were purchased.
As the 400th anniversary of Columbus
landing in America approached in 1892,
school children across the nation were
anxious to celebrate at the same time.
But how? They were to raise their newly
purchased flags and then what?
So, James Upham, head of the circulation
for the magazine asked Frances E. Bellamy,
a staff member, to write a flag salute that
all the kids could say at the same time.
He wrote:
I pledge allegiance to my Flag and to the
Republic for which it stands ---
one Nation indivisible ---
with liberty and justice for all.
This new "Pledge of Allegiance" was
published in The Youth's Companion on
September 8, 1892. Leaflets containing
the pledge were sent out to schools.
President Benjamin Harrison proclaimed that
it be used for the Columbus Day observance.
Soon it became a regular school routine
throughout America.
In 1923, The First National Flag Conference
in Washington, D.C. decided to change the
first line to read: "I pledge allegiance to
the flag of the United States." It was at
this time they also decided that citizens
would place their right hand
over their heart while saying it.
At the second National Flag Conference
the next year, they added "of America."
And in 1942 Congress officially adopted the
Flag Code. The 50-year old vow was made an
official vow of loyalty to America.
In 1943 the Supreme Court ruled that no one
could be forced to say this if they didn't
want to, because it would infringe on
their freedom of speech.
In 1954, Congress added
"Under God"
to the pledge.
And this is how the pledge is today:
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.
Art by Jim Daly
This page created and maintained by
Diana Lanell My Prayer For You
