The Pledge of Allegiance is a promise of loyalty to the United States. The first version of the Pledge of Allegiance was written by Francis Bellamy in 1892. Over the years, changes were made to the Pledge. More words were added, and the pledge that we recite now was written in 1954:

“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 of Allegiance is recited at the beginning of classes in school. In the United States Congress, the sessions of the House of Representatives and the Senate begin their daily business with the Pledge of Allegiance.

The United States Code states that when delivering the Pledge of Allegiance, all must stand at attention while facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. It also states that men not in uniform should remove any nonreligious headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should remain silent, face the flag, and render the military salute.

Pledge of Allegiance facts and figures:

• The Pledge of Allegiance was first published in “The Youth’s Companion” magazine in 1892 in Boston, Massachusetts.
• The pledge was written to mark the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the explorer, Christopher Columbus, in the Americas.

To learn more, see Title 4, Chapter 1, Section 4 of the United States Code and Our Flag (S.Doc. 109-18) govinfo.gov.