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"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."
After first appearing in a
copy of the Youth's Companion in 1892, as a celebration of the 400th
anniversary of the discovery of America, the pledge to the flag received
the official recognition of Congress on June 22, 1942. The phrase,
"under God," was added to the pledge by Congress on June 14, 1954, by
President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who said that "in this way we are
reaffirming the transcendence of religious faith in America's heritage
and future, in this way we shall constantly strengthen those spiritual
weapons which forever will be our country's most powerful resource in
peace and war."
When rendering the pledge of
allegiance, persons should stand at attention, face the flag, and, if in
uniform, salute, or otherwise place the right hand over the heart.
Persons wearing the caps of veterans' service organizations, such as the
Disabled American Veterans, are expected to salute. Others, such
as Boy or Girl Scouts in uniform, should render respect to the flag in
accordance with the traditions of the organization whose uniform they
are wearing. |
