The Pledge of Allegiance The Pledge of Allegiance was written in August 1892 by the socialist minister Francis Bellamy (1855-1931). It was originally published in The Youths 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. Bellamys 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 Youths 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. ushistory.org/documents/pledge.htm The Pledge of Allegiance When the popular American comedian Red Skelton was a young man, he learned the meaning of the Pledge of Allegiance from one of his teachers. The lesson became so meaningful he remembered the explanation of his teacher, Mr. Laswell, throughout his lifetime. The ironic thing is when he made this recording he did not add the words Under God. Be sure and read what he said about it at the end of his pledge. In 1969 Red Skelton made the following recording. An explanation of the Pledge Of Allegiance. I: Me; an individual; a committee of one. Pledge: Dedicate all of my worldly goods to give without self-pity. Allegiance: My love and my devotion. To the Flag: Our standard; Old Glory ; a symbol of Freedom; wherever she waves there is respect, because your loyalty has given her a dignity that shouts, Freedom is everybodys job. United: That means that we have all come together. States: Individual communities that have united into forty-eight great states. Forty-eight individual communities with pride and dignity and purpose. All divided with imaginary boundaries, yet united to a common purpose, and that is love for country. And to the Republic: Republic--a state in which sovereign power is invested in representatives chosen by the people to govern. And government is the people; and its from the people to the leaders, not from the leaders to the people. For which it stands, One Nation: One Nation--meaning, so blessed by God. Indivisible: Incapable of being divided. With Liberty: Which is Freedom; the right of power to live ones own life, without threats, fear, or some sort of retaliation. And Justice: The principle, or qualities, of dealing fairly with others. For All: For All--which means, boys and girls, its as much your country as it is mine. And now, boys and girls let me hear you recite the Pledge of Allegiance: 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. Since I was a small boy, two states have been added to our country, and two words have been added to the Pledge of Allegiance: Under God. Wouldnt it be a pity if someone said that is a prayer, and that would be eliminated from schools, too? Red Skelton
Posted on: Sun, 30 Mar 2014 10:33:28 +0000