Flags

School children reciting the Pledge

September 8, 1892: The Youth’s Companion magazine puts out a special edition. They were taking part in the National Public-School Celebration. It had been 400 years since Columbus had not discovered China. The celebration was the brainchild of James B. Upham. He was its leading proponent and the marketer of the magazine in which it appeared. The idea was to instill a sense of nationalism across the country – by selling flags to public schools and the magazine to children.

Francis Bellamy was a Baptist minister and a Christian socialist. He was also the author of the Pledge of Allegiance for the United States, written for this edition of The Youth’s Companion. His version of the Pledge is familiar, but somewhat different than the Pledge that is recited today. The idea behind the line was to be quick and to the point. Bellamy and Upham got the backing of the National Education Association. They devised a 15-seecond sound bite: “I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

The Pledge was formally adopted by Congress in 1942. There have been changes to it four times since it was first created. The wording has only slightly changed with the last change taking place in 1954. In that year, during the Cold War, Red Scare, and fright over godless Communists, the words “under God” were added to the Pledge. Congressional sessions open with the recitation of the Pledge as so all government meetings at local levels. It is commonly recited at the opening of many civic meetings outside the government purview, as well.

In the early years, the Pledge was accompanied by a salute with the arm held out straight from the body, looking remarkably like a Nazi salute. While this was not upsetting prior to World War II, in 1942 the salute was changed to placing the right hand over one’s heart, unless one is in the service or a military service or a veteran and then a military salute can be used. Active duty military personnel in uniform, should salute the flag and remain silent as the Pledge is spoken by others. In 1940, the Supreme Court ruled that children could be compelled to recite the Pledge in public schools. This was reversed in 1943. There have been several challenges to the phrase “under God” however, at least for now, it remains as part of the Pledge and does not violate students’ rights.

(Changes in bold font)

I pledge allegiance to my flag and to the republic for which it stands: one nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all. – 1892-1923

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States and to the republic for which it stands: one nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all. – 1923 to 1924

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. – 1924 to 1954

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. – 1954 to Present

Also on this day:

Something in the Water – In 1854, Dr. John Snow saved London from an outbreak of cholera.
There She Is – In 1921, Margaret Gorman became the first Miss America.
David Revealed – In 1504, Michelangelo’s statue was unveiled.