USC - The Pledge of Allegiance Lesson

 

The Pledge of Allegiance Lesson

"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."

In 1892, the Pledge of Allegiance was written by a Baptist minister and socialist named Francis Bellamy.

Image of children with their hand on their hearts, during the pledge

 

What is the meaning of the Pledge of Allegiance?

The Pledge of Allegiance is seen as a promise to respect the United States Constitution and the "Republic" for which it stands. The citizens are "indivisible" because they are joined together as "one Nation under God". The flag is a symbol of our country; therefore, we recite the Pledge of Allegiance facing the flag with our right hands over our hearts.

Some critics believe that the Pledge of Allegiance violates the First Amendment and is incompatible with the Framers' ideas about democracy and freedom. The phrase "under God" was not part of the original Pledge of Allegiance. The phrase was added to the Pledge of Allegiance in 1954 during the Cold War in an attempt to distinguish the United States from the Soviet Union, which was seen as atheist.

Famous Court Cases involving the Pledge of Allegiance:

  • 1943 - West Virginia v. Barnette:  Americans cannot be forced to recite the Pledge of Allegiance or individual sections.
  • 2004 - Elk Grove Unified School District v. Newdow: Challenged the phrase "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance and whether it was constitutional and/or violated the First Amendment. The case was dismissed by the Supreme Court for an unrelated matter.

 

Pledge of Allegiance on a plaque: 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.

 

 IMAGES CREATED BY GAVS OR OPENSOURCE