The Pledge of Allegiance, attributed to socialist editor and
clergyman Francis Bellamy.
Slide 3
It was first published in 1892 in The Youths Companion, a
childrens magazine for which Bellamy worked.
Slide 4
The pledge was meant to echo the sentiments and ideals of
Bellamys cousin, Edward Bellamy.
Slide 5
Edward Bellamy is the author of the socialist utopian novel,
Looking Backward
Slide 6
BBellamy crafted the pledge to be an oration to bolster the
idea that the middle class could fashion a planned political and
social economy, equitable for all.
Slide 7
President Benjamin Harrison issued a proclamation so that the
pledge was first used in public schools on Columbus Day in
1892.
Slide 8
I pledge allegiance to my flag and to the Republic for which it
stands: one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for
all
Slide 9
Slide 10
Change #1: Flag Day in 1924, the flag of the United States of
America was officially adopted as a substitution for the phrase my
flag
Slide 11
Change #2 1954: The words under God were added, after a
campaign by the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic mens service
organization and other religious leaders who sermonized that the
pledge needed to be distinguished from a similar orations used by
godless communists
Slide 12
The prospect of an atomic war between world superpowers so
moved President Eisenhower that he directed Congress to add the two
small but controversial words
Slide 13
From this day forward, the millions of our school children will
daily proclaim in every city and town, every village and every
rural school house, the dedication of our nation and our people to
the Almighty
Slide 14
Slide 15
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.
