The Pledge of Allegiance is a declaration of loyalty to the United States of America. It is recited at the beginning of each school day in many schools across the country. But do you know who wrote the Pledge of Allegiance?
The Pledge of Allegiance was written by Francis Bellamy in 1892. Bellamy was a socialist minister and author who was born in Mount Morris, New York. He wrote the pledge at the request of the National Education Association (NEA), which was looking for a way to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in America.
The Pledge of Allegiance was first published in the Youth's Companion magazine on September 8, 1892. It was originally called the "Salute to the Flag". The pledge was revised in 1923 to include the words "under God".
Who Wrote the Pledge of Allegiance
Here are five important points about the Pledge of Allegiance:
- Author: Francis Bellamy
- Year: 1892
- Original Name: "Salute to the Flag"
- Revised in 1923: Added "under God"
- Recited in Schools: Daily
The Pledge of Allegiance is a symbol of patriotism and unity in the United States.
Author: Francis Bellamy
Francis Bellamy was born in Mount Morris, New York, on May 18, 1855. He was the son of a Baptist minister. Bellamy attended Colgate University and Rochester Theological Seminary. After graduating from seminary, he worked as a pastor in several churches in New York State.
In 1887, Bellamy became the editor of The Youth's Companion, a popular children's magazine. He held this position for 15 years. During his time at The Youth's Companion, Bellamy wrote many articles and stories about patriotism and American history. He also helped to organize the National Education Association's (NEA) Committee on Patriotism in the Public Schools.
In 1892, the NEA Committee on Patriotism in the Public Schools asked Bellamy to write a pledge of allegiance to the flag. Bellamy wrote the pledge in one evening. He was inspired by the words of the Declaration of Independence and the Gettysburg Address.
The Pledge of Allegiance was first published in The Youth's Companion on September 8, 1892. It was originally called the "Salute to the Flag". The pledge was revised in 1923 to include the words "under God".
Francis Bellamy died in 1931. He is buried in Mount Morris, New York. Bellamy's legacy is the Pledge of Allegiance, which is recited by millions of Americans every day.
Year: 1892
The year 1892 was a significant year for the Pledge of Allegiance. It was the year that Francis Bellamy wrote the pledge and the year that it was first published.
In 1892, the United States was celebrating the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in America. The National Education Association (NEA) wanted to commemorate this event with a special program for schools. The NEA asked Bellamy, who was the editor of The Youth's Companion, to write a pledge of allegiance to the flag.
Bellamy wrote the pledge in one evening. He was inspired by the words of the Declaration of Independence and the Gettysburg Address. The pledge was originally called the "Salute to the Flag". It was first published in The Youth's Companion on September 8, 1892.
The pledge was immediately popular. It was recited in schools across the country. In 1893, Congress passed a law making the Pledge of Allegiance the official pledge of the United States.
The Pledge of Allegiance has been recited in schools every day since 1892. It is a symbol of patriotism and unity in the United States.
Original Name: "Salute to the Flag"
The Pledge of Allegiance was originally called the "Salute to the Flag". This name was more descriptive of the pledge's purpose, which was to salute the American flag.
- Bellamy's Intent:
Francis Bellamy intended the pledge to be a simple and patriotic expression of loyalty to the United States.
- First Publication:
The "Salute to the Flag" was first published in The Youth's Companion on September 8, 1892.
- Widely Adopted:
The pledge quickly became popular and was widely adopted by schools across the country.
- Official Pledge:
In 1893, Congress passed a law making the "Salute to the Flag" the official pledge of the United States.
In 1923, the pledge was revised to include the words "under God". This revision was made in response to concerns that the pledge was not sufficiently religious.
Revised in 1923: Added "under God"
In 1923, the Pledge of Allegiance was revised to include the words "under God". This revision was made in response to concerns that the pledge was not sufficiently religious.
The movement to add "under God" to the pledge began in the early 1900s. Some people felt that the pledge was too secular and that it did not reflect the religious heritage of the United States. Others argued that the pledge should be inclusive of all Americans, regardless of their religious beliefs.
In 1923, the National Education Association (NEA) appointed a committee to study the issue of revising the pledge. The committee recommended adding the words "under God" to the pledge. The NEA then voted to adopt the revised pledge.
The revised pledge was first published in The Youth's Companion on November 22, 1923. It was immediately controversial. Some people supported the revision, while others opposed it. The controversy over the pledge continues to this day.
In 1954, Congress passed a law adding the words "under God" to the Pledge of Allegiance. This law made the revised pledge the official pledge of the United States.
Recited in Schools: Daily
The Pledge of Allegiance is recited in schools across the United States every day. This tradition began in the late 1800s and has continued to this day.
- Patriotic Ritual:
The Pledge of Allegiance is a patriotic ritual that helps to instill a sense of national unity and pride in students.
- Start of the School Day:
Reciting the Pledge of Allegiance is often done at the beginning of the school day, before classes begin.
- Optional Participation:
In the United States, students are not required to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Students who do not wish to recite the pledge may remain silent or stand respectfully.
- Controversies:
There have been some controversies over the Pledge of Allegiance, particularly over the inclusion of the words "under God". Some people argue that the pledge is too religious and that it violates the separation of church and state.
Despite the controversies, the Pledge of Allegiance remains a popular and widely recited pledge in schools across the United States.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Pledge of Allegiance:
Question 1: Who wrote the Pledge of Allegiance?
Answer: Francis Bellamy wrote the Pledge of Allegiance in 1892.
Question 2: What was the original name of the Pledge of Allegiance?
Answer: The original name of the Pledge of Allegiance was the "Salute to the Flag".
Question 3: When was the Pledge of Allegiance revised to include the words "under God"?
Answer: The Pledge of Allegiance was revised to include the words "under God" in 1923.
Question 4: Is it mandatory to recite the Pledge of Allegiance in schools?
Answer: No, it is not mandatory to recite the Pledge of Allegiance in schools. Students who do not wish to recite the pledge may remain silent or stand respectfully.
Question 5: What are some of the controversies surrounding the Pledge of Allegiance?
Answer: Some of the controversies surrounding the Pledge of Allegiance include the inclusion of the words "under God" and the mandatory recitation of the pledge in schools.
Question 6: What is the significance of the Pledge of Allegiance?
Answer: The Pledge of Allegiance is a patriotic ritual that helps to instill a sense of national unity and pride in citizens.
Question 7: How often is the Pledge of Allegiance recited?
Answer: The Pledge of Allegiance is typically recited once a day at the beginning of the school day.
Closing Paragraph for FAQ:
The Pledge of Allegiance is a significant part of American history and culture. It is a symbol of patriotism and unity that continues to be recited by millions of Americans every day.
Here are some tips for learning more about the Pledge of Allegiance:
Tips
Here are some tips for learning more about the Pledge of Allegiance:
Tip 1: Read the history of the Pledge of Allegiance.
There are many books and articles available that discuss the history of the Pledge of Allegiance. This is a great way to learn about the origins of the pledge and how it has changed over time.
Tip 2: Visit a museum or historical site that has exhibits on the Pledge of Allegiance.
Many museums and historical sites have exhibits on the Pledge of Allegiance. This is a great way to see primary sources related to the pledge and to learn more about its significance.
Tip 3: Talk to veterans or other people who have served in the military.
Veterans and other people who have served in the military can often provide firsthand accounts of what the Pledge of Allegiance means to them. This is a great way to learn about the personal significance of the pledge.
Tip 4: Recite the Pledge of Allegiance every day.
One of the best ways to learn about the Pledge of Allegiance is to recite it every day. This will help you to memorize the words of the pledge and to understand its meaning.
Closing Paragraph for Tips:
The Pledge of Allegiance is a significant part of American history and culture. By following these tips, you can learn more about the pledge and its importance.
The Pledge of Allegiance is a symbol of patriotism and unity that continues to be recited by millions of Americans every day. It is a reminder of the shared values and ideals that bind us together as a nation.
Conclusion
The Pledge of Allegiance is a symbol of patriotism and unity in the United States. It is recited by millions of Americans every day, both in schools and at other public events.
The pledge was written by Francis Bellamy in 1892. It was originally called the "Salute to the Flag". In 1923, the pledge was revised to include the words "under God".
The Pledge of Allegiance is not mandatory in schools. Students who do not wish to recite the pledge may remain silent or stand respectfully.
Despite some controversies, the Pledge of Allegiance remains a popular and widely recited pledge in the United States.
Closing Message:
The Pledge of Allegiance is a reminder of the shared values and ideals that bind us together as a nation. It is a pledge to be loyal to our country and to uphold its principles of liberty, equality, and justice for all.
As Americans, we should all be proud to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. It is a simple but powerful expression of our patriotism and our commitment to our country.