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The pledge of allegiance
The pledge of allegiance
Pledge of allegiance summary
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The United States needed a call for those of a broken nation to join together under one flag. The solution appeared when the Pledge of Allegiance was formed as it is now recited all across the country to bring unity throughout. Americans pledge loyalty to their country when reciting the Pledge of Allegiance which affirms the values and freedom of the United States (“The Pledge of Allegiance”). The original Pledge of Allegiance was written by Francis Bellamy in August 1892 (Baer). Bellamy is a Baptist minister who would lecture about how the middle class could create a planned economy with political, social, and economic equality for all. He was also the chairman of a committee of state superintendents of education in the National Education Association. While he was the chairman, he prepared the program for the public schools’ quadricentennial celebration for Columbus Day in 1892. In this public school program, he made a flag raising ceremony and a flag salute with his pledge. The original Pledge of Allegiance read as follows: ‘I pledge allegiance to my Flag and (to*) the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all’ (Philyaw). He considered placing the words ‘equality,’ in his pledge, but then knew that the state superintendents of education on his committee were against equality for women and African Americans. Bellamy expresses the thought process in picking the words of his pledge, “It began as an intensive communing with salient points of our national history, from the Declaration of Independence onwards; with the makings of the Constitution…” (Bellamy). His pledge was published in the September 8th issue of The Youth’s Companion. The Pledge of Allegiance is a patriotic oath and a p... ... middle of paper ... ...near a right triangle as possible. There are some guidelines to follow when saying the pledge. Section 7 of the Federal Flag Code states that whenever you’re not in any military uniform, men should remove any headdress with their right hand and holds it at the left shoulder (The Pledge of Allegiance). It should be resting in your hand over the heart. For those in military uniform, they should remain silent, face the flag, and render the military salute. Anyone else may say along with the pledge and also use the correct salute position. The Pledge of Allegiance is a promise or oath of allegiance to the United States as represented by the American flag. It is recited daily all across the United Sates due to its true meaning behind each and every last word. The Pledge of Allegiance gives us a way to keep our country strong and is a necessity to fuel the United States.
“Land of the free and the home of the brave.” This line has represented the United States for decades. These words were captured in The Star Spangled Banner by Francis Scott Key and since 1913, the United States has adopted The Star-Spangled Banner as its national anthem. We have used the Red, White, and Blue as one of our nation’s symbols. It has fifty stars, to represent the number of states we have in our Union. The military pledges its allegiance to the flag and the country which it represents at all costs. We are the land of the free and the home of the brave, and we are proud to show it.
Many Americans are familiar with the first verse of the poem The Defense of Fort McHenry but not by that name. Over the years since it was written, The Defense of Fort McHenry has become a part of American culture. The Star-Spangled Banner, as it is now known, is sung at sporting events and gatherings across the country but usually not sung in its entirety. Unknown too many Americans is there are actually four verses to our national anthem. “The Star-Spangled Banner” became a well known and loved patriotic song but it would take 117 years before it would become our national anthem. In the 1890’s, the military began using the song for ceremonial purposes. Then in 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued an executive order designating it to be used as the national anthem when appropriate. Finally in March 1931, Congress officially named The Star-Spangled Banner as the National Anthem of the United States. Francis Scott Key’s use of setting, structure, and literary techniques in “The Defence of Fort McHenry”, captures the spirit of America and helped it become our national anthem.
In John McCain’s essay “Veterans Day: Never forget their duty” he talks about his friend ,Mike, who was in the same prison camp as he was in and showed the pride that he and his fellow prisoners had for their flag. The American Flag is the most iconic symbol of America and to express pride for The American Flag is to show pride in America itself. On page 7 paragraph 8 “Every afternoon, before we had a bowl of soup, we would hang MIke’s shirt on the wall of our cell and say the Pledge of Allegiance. I know that saying the Pledge of Allegiance may not seem the most important or meaningful part of our day now, but I can assure you that for those men in that stark prison cell, it was, indeed, the most important and meaningful event of our day”. John McCain shares with us that the most important part of their day was to say the Pledge of Allegiance.
“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.” As Americans, we say this to honor our state and because we are proud of what we as a citizen of America have done to make it the America that is today. Americans weren’t the only ones that helped; veterans were a big part of the success that made our country the America that I believe in.
In the 2008 the United States Census Bureau, Self-Described Religious Identification of Adult Population, The Christian faith proved to be the more dominating religion out of all religions. So it would seem the words “Under God” would be beneficial for the majority, the Pledge of Allegiance allures and supports the loyalty of the majority of citizens. The nonbelievers of religion have had the right to not recite the pledge since 1943 but have been asked to quietly stand while the believers recite the pledge in its entirety. Even though leaving out “Under God” is not a difficult task we can clearly see a division has now developed, opposite of bringing the people together. Another example that shows the pledge allures and supports a loyalty to the majority of citizens, the acceptance and encouragement to keep ...
...nation together. The address to ethos demonstrates when the Constitution was being written even the founding fathers were divided, but they came together under a sheet of paper to unite a nation, similar to the Gettysburg Address.
Every day, while facing the flag, American students exhibit their loyalty to the country by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Written in 1892, during the 400th celebration of Columbus Day, the pledge used in “ceremonies that would culminate in raising of the flag” (Pledge of Allegiance). The creation of the pledge resulted from one sole event, the Civil War. Before the American Civil War of 1861, the American flag used to be a rare sight for many people. The Civil War resulted in the rise of patriotism an...
Gwen Wilde wrote an essay on “Why the Pledge of Allegiance Should be Revised.” In this essay, Gwen believes that the words “under God” should be removed from the Pledge of Allegiance. Gwen informs us that the original Pledge did not include “under God” and the words were not added until 1942, therefore, the words can easily be removed. Although some changes have been made to make it clear that the Pledge of Allegiance is for the United States Gwen believes that the words “under God” do not show any support for our country and only make those who do not believe in God feel uncomfortable. Therefore, Gwen believes that “under God” is not appropriate for the Pledge and does not show that we are a Nation that is “indivisible.”
The Pledge of Allegiance has become a major issue for students, teachers, parents and lawmakers. The original intention of the pledge was not to stir up trouble, but for a celebration of Christopher Columbus discovery of the new world. The pledge is no longer thought of as a celebration, but an infringement on children's religious beliefs. Do you believe that children's rights are being infringed on? Some people believe that the pledge is a great honor for our country. It has shown, and provided us with great pride just like our American flag. The Pledge of Allegiance being recited in the public school system does not infringe on the students religious beliefs, but is a way for us to honor our country and everything that we have done to get to this point in history.
I’ve lol been standing for the pledge of allegiance since I was in elementary and never really understood why. Freedom of speech, you say what you want, when you want, and how you want to. It’s your right to stand up or not. “People die for our country.” “Sign of respect for the country we live in.” “Take pride in being an American.” How can we be proud to be American if it only brings negative stereotypes to everyone’s head, it has never been what it preaches to be. Being American is actually embarrassing. Just because I was born here doesn 't mean I have undying loyalty to America, being American means nothing to me, to be truthful.
“We, therefore, the Representative of the United States of America, in general congress… appealing to the Supreme Judge of the World… do, in the Name and, by the authority of the good People of these Colonies… That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, Free and Independent States”. Again, no room for misinterpretation is left, and the statement that the colonies are “free and independent states” is exactly that, a statement. But the most important part in the entirety of the document is the last sentence. “…we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.” The word placement is exact and generates the most efficient meaning in the sentence. The use of “our” in this instance and all throughout the document creates a connection between the reader, the Declaration, and the idea of freedom.
Many students all across America stand and salute to the flag every morning and repeat these words, “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, To the republic for which it stands, one nation, Under God, Indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” There are controversy behind these words of historical allegiance, and that is why many people are refusing to stand for the pledge. This nation was founded upon freedom and liberties, and with those liberties comes with the freedom to choose your religion. The words “Under God”
Before analyzing the above described controversy, we must first examine the history of the Pledge itself. Written by Francis Bellamy, it was originally titled the “Pledge to the Flag” and was created in the late 1800’s to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the discovery of America. It originally read: “I pledge allegiance to my Flag and to the republic for which it stands, one Nation, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all” (McCarthy, 2005). Changes were later made to include the words “of the United States” and “of America” to indicate which flag was being referenced. The final changes to the Pledge came in 1954 when it officially became titled the “Pledge of Allegiance” and the words “under God” were added after “one nation.” This addition to the Pledge was meant to support the United States as a religious nation. While signing the law to put this change into effect, President Eisenhower said, “In this way we shall constantly strengthen those spiritual weapons which forever will be our country’s most powerful resource in peace and war” (McCarthy, 2005).
First, I would like to talk about the history of the Pledge of Allegiance. Many people today recite the Pledge of Allegiance but do not know the history that took place behind it. The Pledge of Allegiance was originally written more than a century ago. The original pledge was: I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic, for which it stands, one Nation, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all . The flag serves as a symbol of our country and its proud traditions of freedom and equal opportunity. In the 1920s, the National Flag Conferences replaced the phrase “my Flag” with “the Flag of the United States of America.” In 1954, Communist threats occurred causing Congress to add the words under God to the pledge. Then 12 years later, Congress reviewed the Pledge of Allegiance and added the words “Under God .” While reciting the Pledge of Allegiance it should be recited by standing placing your
Unlike many other foundational documents written by other counties, the US Constitution has held strong from the start. The Constitution is at the center of our everyday lives and is the reason we are able to live with the freedom and security that we do. As the Constitutions author, contents, and effect on the US are evaluated it is very clear why America holds so strongly to the foundation the Constitution set in place.