Pledge of Allegiance Day commemorates the adoption of our nation’s pledge by Congress in 1945. The original pledge was written by Francis Bellamy in celebration of the 400th anniversary of the discovery of America. The pledge is revered, and honors our nation’s values of freedom, integrity, and unity. It’s a pillar of America’s national identity.
History
The Pledge of Allegiance was first published in 1892 by Francis Bellamy, for The Youth’s Companion children’s magazine. Francis Bellamy was a Baptist minister from New York, and chair of the committee that proposed that public schools celebrate Columbus Day. The original version read: “I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” It wasn’t until 1923 that that the words “the Flag of the United States of America” were added. But that wasn’t the only change. In 1948, Louis Bowman, an attorney from Illinois, was the first to suggest adding “under God” to the pledge. In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower encouraged Congress to add the words “under God” to the pledge after a bill was introduced to amend the language. The bill was passed and signed into law on Flag Day, June 14, 1954. Since then, the Pledge of Allegiance has been recited across the nation by patriotic Americans.
Reciting the pledge
To this day, The Pledge of Allegiance is recited across the nation for numerous occasions. The purpose is to instill a sense of patriotism and loyalty to our country while remembering our freedoms. The pledge is often heard during Congressional sessions, Government meetings, Veterans’ Day ceremonies, and in schools across the nation. In honor of the greatest nation on earth, whomever recites the pledge, is expected to stand, remove their hat, place their right hand over their chest, and face the direction of the American flag during the pledge. More than 70 years later, the Pledge of Allegiance is recited every morning in almost every school in America.
Let today serve as a reminder that our revered Pledge of Allegiance is the identity of America and a promise we make to stay loyal to our country.