Pledge of Allegiance
[nb: The original Pledge of Allegiance, an oath of
fealty or promise of loyalty symbolized by the national flag, was
written for the September 1892 issue of "The Youth's Companion",
a Boston magazine, by Francis Bellamy. The phrase was printed on
leaflets and sent to schools throughout the United States so that
twelve million pupils could recite it on 12 October in
commemoration of the four hundredth anniversary of Columbus'
voyage. An authorship controversy arose, with claims being made
on behalf of both James B. Upham, an editor, and Francis Bellamy,
an assistant editor of "The Youth's Companion". In 1939, a
committee of the U.S. Flag Association ruled in favor of Bellamy;
and a detailed report, issued in 1957 by the U.S. Library of
Congress, supported the committee's ruling. In 1923, the first
National Flag Conference voted to change the words "my flag" to
"the Flag of the United States of America" so as to eliminate any
ambiguity. The Pledge was officially recognized by Congress as an
Act (4USC4), approved on 22 June 1942; but in 1943, the Supreme
Court ruled that public school students could not be compelled to
recite it (reversing its 1940 decision in Minersville School
District v Gobitis, where the conscientious objection to
'idolatry' could be required for political unity). Customary
observance during recitation is to stand facing the flag with
one's right hand over one's heart; persons in uniform should
remain silent and render a military salute while standing at
attention. The phrase "under God" was added to the Pledge by a
Congressional Act (1USC4), approved on 14 June 1954 (Flag Day).
At the time, President Eisenhower stated: "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.
Pledge of Allegiance
by Francis Bellamy ["The Youth's Companion" (September 1892)]
[nb: originally, recitation included a two-part salute ("Bellamy
salute") that began with the right hand placed over the heart,
then at the phrase "to my flag", the right arm was extended
toward the flag with the palm facing upwards, as if uplifting the
nation; this practice was discontinued during World War Two when
these types of salutes became associated with totalitarianism]
I pledge allegiance to my Flag
and the Republic for which it stands:
— One nation indivisible —
with Liberty and Justice for all.
Pledge of Allegiance
October 1892 [re: proclamation by President Benjamin Harrison]
I pledge allegiance to my Flag
and to the Republic for which it stands:
— One nation indivisible —
with Liberty and Justice for all.
Pledge of Allegiance
1923
I pledge allegiance to the flag
of the United States of America,
and to the Republic for which it stands:
one Nation indivisible,
with Liberty and Justice for all.
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