Under God.
Photo courtesy of
https://www.facebook.com/HistoricalPhotosYT/photosI follow an account called “Historical Photos YT” on Facebook. I delight in seeing the old photos on my Facebook timeline; it helps distract from the chaos and fighting usually in progress at any time.
The photo above appeared a couple of days ago. Taken in Norfolk, Virginia in 1941, these school children are reciting the Pledge of Allegiance at the start of their class day. As common at the time, the students saluted the flag.
Of course there’s a litany of comments under the photo talking about how no one recites the Pledge of Allegiance any more (a very false statement) and that they should say “Amen” when finishing the recitation, as God intended.
So let me set the record straight.
The addition of “Under God” to the United States Pledge of Allegiance was codified in law on Flag Day, June 14, 1954. The Knights of Columbus did not start adding “Under God” until during World War II. The first version of the Pledge of Allegiance was first officially recognized by Congress on June 22, 1942
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
I fully believe American students in the American public school system should recite the Pledge of Allegiance in their classrooms at the start of the school day. This practice instills a sense of citizenship and a sense of what the United States stands for. In fact, during my junior and senior years of high school, I led the entire school by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance over the PA system before then reading the morning announcements. A social studies teacher once referred to me as the high school’s “Voice of America”.
While I believe this practice should carry on today, I also believe that any student that can articulate why they do not want to recite the Pledge of Allegiance should be able to sit out the activity. They shouldn’t be ostracized. Being able to say why you don’t want to recite the Pledge of Allegiance is just as strong a lesson in citizenship and civic responsibility
But the folks screaming about the Under God part and how it’s “always been there”, no. That’s completely false. The Founders wouldn’t be able to recite the Pledge of Allegiance; it would be one and a half centuries before it ever became a thing. It’s a solidly mid 20th century practice.
#allegiance #pledge
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