The Pledge of Allegiance

The Pledge of Allegiance was first published in 1892 in The Youth’s Companion magazine in Boston, Massachusetts to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the discovery of America. It was first used in public schools to celebrate Columbus Day on October 12, 1892. The Pledge received official recognition by Congress as an Act approved on June 22, 1942. The phrase “under God” was added to the Pledge by a Congressional act approved on June 14, 1954.

A controversy arose concerning the authorship of the Pledge of 1892. Claims were made on behalf of both James B. Upham, one of the editors of The Youth’s Companion, and Francis Bellamy, an assistant editor. In 1939, a committee of the U.S. Flag Association ruled in favor of Bellamy, and a detailed report issued by the U.S. Library of Congress in 1957 supported the committee’s ruling.

The United States Code (4USC4) states that when delivering the Pledge of Allegiance, all must be standing at attention, facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. It also states that men not in uniform should remove any nonreligious headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should remain silent, face the flag, and render the military salute.

The Pledge of Allegiance is one of the most amazing of our national symbols. Some people think it’s every citizen’s patriotic duty to recite it. Others think people should be allowed to decide for themselves if they want to recite it. Still others think it should be outlawed in schools and perhaps other public places.

Adding the words “under God” didn’t help. What about Muslims who worship Allah, people who worship Buddha or people who don’t believe in God at all?

Even more amazing, the author (Francis Bellamy) and his cousin (Edward Bellamy) were two of America’s leading socialists. Today, the Pledge’s biggest promoters generally hate socialists.

Bellamy wanted to include the words equality and fraternity in the Pledge. However, he backed down because school superintendents didn’t want equality for women and African Americans.

What do you think? Should children be forced to recite a flag pledge many of them don’t even understand? Should politicians be forced to pledge allegiance to the people they’re supposed to serve?