A history of the numerous changes to the Pledge of allegiance

[Sandpiper]

I can't for the life of me understand why such a non issue as the wording of the Pledge of Allegiance has become a matter of national attention.

Many people in this country put the Pledge up there with the Declaration of Independence as part of American history and heritage, and consider altering it in any way to be a sacrilege against American ideals. I can only assume that most people who feel this way are ignorant of the history of the Pledge, and how it has changed over time.


So for the sake of clearing things up, a little history:

Franis Bellamy, a Baptist minister and Christian socialist wrote the pledge in 1892 as an expression of his socialist ideals. His original pledge reads:

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

In 1923 and 1924 the National Flag Conference, under the 'leadership of the American Legion and the Daughters of the American Revolution, changed the Pledge's words, 'my Flag,' to 'the Flag of the United States of America.' Bellamy disliked this change, but his protest was ignored.

From 1892 to 1934, the Roman salute was the salute given by civilians reciting the pledge of allegiance. Following the rise of the Nazi Party in Germany and their adoption of the Roman Salute from Italian Fascists, Franklin Roosevelt instituted the hand over the heart as the civilian salute to be rendered during the Pledge of Allegiance.

And finally, in 1954, Congress added the words "Under God" to the Pledge at the behest of campaign by the Knights of Columbus, as a way to distinguish the United States from the "godless communists."


http://history.vineyard.net/pledge.htm

http://history.vineyard.net/pledge.htm

[rinsd]

1. Wow.....

"From 1892 to 1934, the Roman salute was the salute given by civilians reciting the pledge of allegiance. Following the rise of the Nazi Party in Germany and their adoption of the Roman Salute from Italian Fascists, Franklin Roosevelt instituted the hand over the heart as the civilian salute to be rendered during the Pledge of Allegiance. "

There's something I did not know.

[RobertSeattle]

2. Yep, here's a picture

Funny how the RW never reminds of this stuff...



From:
http://www.falange.org/roman.htm (Found via Google)

[Sandpiper]

3. The Roman Salute was given

For the national anthem as well.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_salute