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Pledge to Our Flag and Our Country:
School has just started for the day. You and your classmates stand. You face the flag and put your right hand over your heart. You say the Pledge of Allegiance. By saying the Pledge of Allegiance, you are showing respect to the U.S. flag. You are promising to be loyal to the United States.
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Francis Bellamy and the Youth's Companion:
The Pledge of Allegiance was written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy. Francis worked at a magazine called the Youth's Companion. It was a patriotic magazine. Francis was also very patriotic. He wanted every school to have a U.S. flag.
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The Columbus Day Celebration:
In 1892, the magazine decided to hold a celebration. It was the 400-year anniversary of Columbus Day. Americans celebrate Columbus Day as the day explorer Christopher Columbus landed in America. The magazine wanted every school in the United States to participate.
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The Youth's Companion wrote a program for the celebration. Schools were to follow the program. Part of the program was Francis's pledge to the flag. The pledge became the Pledge of Allegiance.
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On October 21, 1892, schools across the country celebrated Columbus Day. Students saluted the flag using Francis's pledge:
“I pledge allegiance to my Flag, and to the Republic for which it stands - one Nation -indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.”
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The Flag Salute in Schools:
Many leaders liked the idea of saluting the flag. Some states passed laws saying that schools must salute the flag. Some schools used Francis's pledge. Some schools used other flag salutes.
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Francis Bellamy's Pledge:
Francis's pledge is different than today's Pledge of Allegiance. It was only 23 words long. Today, the Pledge of Allegiance is 31 words long. Over the years, it has been changed and words have been added.
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The Flag Code:
In 1923, the National Flag Conference set up rules for the flag. These rules became the Flag Code. The Flag Code named Francis's Pledge of Allegiance the country's salute to the flag. It also told people how they should salute the flag. They should face the flag and place their right hand over their hearts.
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Changes to the Pledge of Allegiance:
The National Flag Conference changed the Pledge of Allegiance. It changed "my flag" to "the flag of the United States." A year later, it added "of America" to make it "the United States of America." In 1942, the Flag Code was made into law. The Pledge of Allegiance became the official way to salute the flag.
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In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower added to the pledge. He added "under God," after "one Nation." The Pledge of Allegiance became what it 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."
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What Does the Pledge of Allegiance Mean?
Words: "I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America." Meaning: I promise to be loyal to the U.S. flag. Words: "and to the Republic for which it stands." Meaning: and to the United States, which allows people to choose its leaders.
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Words: "one Nation, under God." Meaning: and is one country under God's protection. Words: "indivisible." Meaning: that cannot be split up. Words: "with liberty and justice for all." Meaning: with freedom and fairness for all people.
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When Do People Say the Pledge of Allegiance?
Many children say the Pledge of Allegiance every day at school. Lawmakers also say the Pledge of Allegiance at the start of each day when they meet. The Pledge of Allegiance is also a part of Flag Day celebrations.
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Pledging Loyalty to the United States:
The Pledge of Allegiance was written for a celebration in 1892. Fifty years later, Francis Bellamy's words were made into law. We use Francis's words to show respect to the flag. By saying the Pledge of Allegiance, we promise to be true to the United States.
