where did the Pledge of Allegiance come from?
In 1892, a socialist named Francis Bellamy created the Pledge of Allegiance for Youths’ Companion, a national family magazine for youth published in Boston. The magazine had the largest national circulation of its day with a circulation around 500,000. Two liberal businessmen, Daniel Ford and James Upham, his nephew, owned Youths’ Companion. One hundred years ago the American flag was rarely seen in the classroom or in front of the school Upham changed that. In 1888, the magazine began a campaign to sell American flags to the public schools. By 1892, his magazine had sold American flags to about 26 thousands schools. In 1891, Upham had the idea of using the celebration of the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ discovery of America to promote the use of the flag in the public schools. The same year, the magazine hired Daniel Ford’s radical young friend, Baptist minister, Nationalist, and Christian Socialist leader, Francis Bellamy, to help Upham in his public relations work. Bel
Why are most of us encouraged to say it, and what does it really mean? So we’ll ask historian Allan Lichtman when we come back from the break. Stay with us. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What is the Pledge of Allegiance? UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. I don’t know. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And to the republic for which it stands. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: One nation under God, indivisible — it’s been awhile. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: One nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Indivisible forever and ever. Is that right? Amen. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Close enough. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Was that close enough for you? (END VIDEO CLIP) (COMMERCIAL BREAK) (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) SCOTT KAMINSKI: Hi, my name is Scott Kaminski. I’m a senior at American University. Everyone, in my opinion, should stand up for the Pledge of Allegiance just to show your country what they have done for you, and to show the freedom and
