Historical1892
Pledge of Allegiance First Published
The Pledge of Allegiance was first published in The Youth's Companion magazine, written by Francis Bellamy for the 400th anniversary of Columbus's arrival. The original text read "I pledge allegiance to my Flag" without "under God," which was added by Congress in 1954.
Why It Matters
The Pledge became a daily ritual in American schools and civic life, though its evolution has prompted ongoing debates about patriotism, free speech, and the separation of church and state.