On This Flag Day, Learn The Origins Of The Pledge Of Allegiance

Today is Flag Day. The original Pledge Of Allegiance was written in 1892 by the socialist minister Francis Bellamy.

Yes, the author of the Pledge was a socialist, and yes, even though he was a minister, there was no "under god" in this pledge. I believe everyone at that time still had it freshly in their mind the kind of things that happen when you let religion and government intermingle.

This is the original pledge:

I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

"My Flag" was later changed to "to the flag of the United States of America" because they wanted all the foreign born kids to know "which" flag.  Then during the cold war the words "under God" were written in, and no one dared challenge them at that time.

That left us with the current Pledge:

“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.

The Pledge itself was originally written for a kids magazine as part of 400 year celebration of Columbus Day. It was then put into schools  schools first as a way to indoctrinate and/or spur patriotism in kids (and possibly to sell those magazines and flags, things get a little unclear at this point). Bellamy did say that it took two hours to write.

Want some more creepy Pledge facts? Originally you were to salute the flag by pointing your arm at it with your palm down. That's right, almost exactly like the Nazi salute, and that's why that part was changed. There was also a semi-competing pledge, but it didn't have the sizzle this one had.  Lastly, students DO NOT have to stand for the Pledge, and you know who was responsible for that? The Jehovah's Witnesses. They considered the Pledge idolatry.

It's weird hearing the origins of the Pledge. It all seems a little suspect now, but I guess what matters is the pride and meaning you put in it. Salute your flag today. I will, but with the original pledge.