Pledge of Allegiance

Pledge of Allegiance. The Pledge of Allegiance is a promise of loyalty to the United States of America, recited by American citizens, including George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt, as well as Supreme Court of the United States justices like John Marshall and Earl Warren. It is often recited in unison by Congress of the United States members, such as Nancy Pelosi and Mitch McConnell, and National Football League players, including Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, before games. The Pledge is also recited by Boy Scouts of America members, like Eagle Scouts, and Girl Scouts of the USA members, such as those who have earned the Gold Award, at their meetings and events, which are often attended by notable figures like Bill Gates and Oprah Winfrey.

● History of

the Pledge of Allegiance The Pledge of Allegiance was written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy, a Baptist minister and socialist, with the help of James Upham, a Youth's Companion editor, and was first published in The Youth's Companion on September 8, 1892. The original Pledge was recited on Columbus Day, 1892, by over 12 million American schoolchildren, including those at Harvard University and Yale University, and was later adopted by the United States Congress in 1954, with the support of Dwight D. Eisenhower and Richard Nixon. The Pledge has undergone several changes since its inception, including the addition of the words "under God" in 1954, which was supported by Billy Graham and Norman Vincent Peale, and the removal of the word "my" in 1923, which was done during the presidency of Calvin Coolidge. Notable figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks have recited the Pledge, which is also displayed at National Park Service sites, such as Yellowstone National Park and Yosemite National Park, and at United States Postal Service facilities, including those in New York City and Los Angeles.

● Composition and Meaning

The Pledge of Allegiance is composed of thirty-one words, which express loyalty to the United States of America and its flag, designed by Betsy Ross, and is often recited by NASA astronauts, like Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, before Space Shuttle missions. The Pledge is also recited by Federal Bureau of Investigation agents, such as J. Edgar Hoover, and Central Intelligence Agency officers, like Allen Dulles, as part of their training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Program and the CIA University. The meaning of the Pledge has been interpreted by Supreme Court of the United States justices, including William Rehnquist and Sandra Day O'Connor, and has been the subject of controversy, with some arguing that it violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, which was written by James Madison and Alexander Hamilton. Notable figures like Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter have weighed in on the debate, which has also involved organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Rifle Association.

● Legislative History

The Pledge of Allegiance was first adopted by Congress of the United States in 1942, with the support of Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman, and was later amended in 1954 to include the words "under God", which was done during the presidency of Dwight D. Eisenhower. The Pledge has been the subject of several United States Congressional resolutions, including one introduced by Senator Robert Byrd in 2002, and has been supported by organizations like the National Council of Churches and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. The Pledge is also displayed at United States Capitol buildings, including the United States Senate and United States House of Representatives, and at White House events, such as those hosted by Barack Obama and Joe Biden. Notable figures like Nelson Mandela and Pope John Paul II have visited the United States Capitol and recited the Pledge, which is also an important part of Fourth of July celebrations, including those at Independence Hall and Mount Rushmore.

● Court Cases and Controversies

The Pledge of Allegiance has been the subject of several Supreme Court of the United States cases, including Minersville School District v. Gobitis in 1940 and West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette in 1943, which were decided by justices like Harlan F. Stone and Felix Frankfurter. The Pledge has also been challenged in lower courts, such as in Newdow v. United States Congress in 2002, which was decided by Judge Lawrence Karlton and involved organizations like the American Center for Law and Justice and the Liberty Counsel. The Pledge has been the subject of controversy, with some arguing that it violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, which was written by James Madison and Alexander Hamilton, and has been supported by organizations like the American Atheists and the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Notable figures like Michael Newdow and Phyllis Schlafly have weighed in on the debate, which has also involved Media outlets, such as CNN and Fox News Channel.

● Protocol and Display

The Pledge of Allegiance is typically recited while standing, with the right hand over the heart, and is often displayed at United States government buildings, including the White House and United States Capitol, and at National Park Service sites, such as Grand Canyon National Park and Zion National Park. The Pledge is also displayed at United States Postal Service facilities, including those in Chicago and Houston, and at Federal Bureau of Investigation offices, such as those in New York City and Los Angeles. The Pledge is often recited at public events, such as parades and sporting events, including those at Wrigley Field and Yankee Stadium, and is an important part of American culture, which has been influenced by notable figures like Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson. Notable figures like George W. Bush and Bill Clinton have recited the Pledge at public events, including those at Ground Zero and the National Mall.

● Modifications and Variations

The Pledge of Allegiance has undergone several modifications since its inception, including the addition of the words "under God" in 1954, which was supported by Dwight D. Eisenhower and Richard Nixon. The Pledge has also been translated into several languages, including Spanish and French, and is often recited by naturalized citizens, such as those who have taken the Oath of Allegiance at United States Citizenship and Immigration Services ceremonies. The Pledge has been the subject of controversy, with some arguing that it should be modified to remove the words "under God", which has been supported by organizations like the American Humanist Association and the Secular Coalition for America. Notable figures like Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter have weighed in on the debate, which has also involved Media outlets, such as The New York Times and The Washington Post. The Pledge is an important part of American history, which has been influenced by notable figures like George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, and is often displayed at National Archives and Records Administration facilities, including those in Washington, D.C. and College Park, Maryland.

Category:National symbols of the United States