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The Pledge of Allegiance was written in August 1892 by the socialist
minister Francis Bellamy (1855-1931). It was originally published in The Youth's Companion on September 8, 1892. Bellamy had hoped that the pledge would be used by citizens in any country.
In its original form it read:
"I
pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one
nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
In 1923, the words, "the Flag of the United States of America" were added. At this time it read:
"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."
In 1954, in response to the
Communist threat of the times, President Eisenhower encouraged Congress
to add the words "under God," creating the 31-word pledge we say
today. Bellamy's daughter objected to this alteration. Today it reads:
"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."
Section 4 of the Flag Code states:
The
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag: "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.",
should be rendered by standing at attention facing the flag with the
right hand over the heart. When not in uniform men should remove any
non-religious 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
original Bellamy salute, first described in 1892 by Francis Bellamy,
who authored the original Pledge, began with a military salute, and
after reciting the words "to the flag," the arm was extended toward the
flag.
At a signal from the Principal the pupils, in
ordered ranks, hands to the side, face the Flag. Another signal is
given; every pupil gives the flag the military salute — right hand
lifted, palm downward, to a line with the forehead and close to it.
Standing thus, all repeat together, slowly, "I pledge allegiance to my
Flag and the Republic for which it stands; one Nation indivisible, with
Liberty and Justice for all." At the words, "to my Flag," the right
hand is extended gracefully, palm upward, toward the Flag, and remains
in this gesture till the end of the affirmation; whereupon all hands
immediately drop to the side.
The Youth's Companion, 1892
Shortly
thereafter, the pledge was begun with the right hand over the heart,
and after reciting "to the Flag," the arm was extended toward the Flag,
palm-down.
In World War II, the salute too much resembled the
Nazi salute, so it was changed to keep the right hand over the heart
throughout.
Source: http://www.ushistory.org/documents/pledge.htm
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