I Pledge Allegiance: A History

The American Flag is a symbol of our Country that we are taught to revere and respect from the time we are small children. Flag Day, which is currently observed on June 14 is a day set aside to commemorate the birthday of the Stars and Stripes. The first documented Flag Day was supposedly held in Wisconsin the year 1885. June 14th was chosen because it is the anniversary of the national adoption of our flag. At that time, it carried 38 stars, Colorado being the last state to join the Union. The idea quickly spread across the country and was recognized in New York by the Board of Education in 1889. School districts were the first to hold exercises honoring the Flag. In 1894, the governor of the state of New York directed that all public buildings display the flag on June 14. Illinois held exercises that same year with over 300,000 schoolchildren participating.

The wave of patriotism spawned by World War 1 and the efforts of states nationwide brought about the official establishment of Flag Day by President Woodrow Wilson in 1916. After many years of individual ceremonies by communities and states, President Truman, officially proclaimed June 14 as National Flag Day, by signing an Act of Congress.

Our Pledge to the Flag has a long and similar history. It also, was brought to national attention by schoolchildren. In September of 1892, the original Pledge, written by Francis Bellamy, was distributed to schools all over the country. The wording is not the same as the Pledge we now recite. That first year, it was recited, I pledge allegiance to my Flag and to the Republic for which it stands one Nation indivisible with Liberty and Justice for all."
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Over the years, the original Pledge was slowly reworded, due to the changes in the country. The first change occurred in 1923. The reasoning behind this chance was the influx of immigrants to the United States. At the time, there was concern that the newcomers to the USA, might think of the flag of their home country instead of the Stars and Stripes. This first change substituted the phrase "The flag of the United States" for "to my Flag". The official adoption of the Pledge occurred in 1942, again by a Congressional law when it was officially included in the United States Flag Code. The final change to our Pledge was put into effect on June 14, 1954. This latest change added the phrases "one nation, under God". After this final revision of the words, Congress must approve any changes to our Pledge.

There are many questions about how the Flag should be properly displayed and how to decide if your flag is your Flag is no longer serviceable. If the Flag is to be displayed inside, it should be placed vertically with the union (blue with stars) to the right. Than way, when you look at the Flag the union is to the left. Displayed at night, it must be properly lighted and visible.

Some other commonly asked questions are; does the Flag need to be destroyed if it touches the ground and when should a Flag be flown at half-staff. To answer the first; no, the Flag does not need to be destroyed providing it remains suitable for display. If necessary, the Flag may be cleaned by either washing or dry cleaning. The Flag should be flown at half-staff on Memorial Day or any other day as determined by Presidential instructions.

A special ceremony held by many American Legions and VFWs properly respect and retire well-worn Flags. These exercises are usually held on June 14, but may be held on any day chosen by the organization sponsoring the retirement. If anyone has a Flag that is faded or torn and damaged by the weather, if the Flag can be dropped off at any Veterans organization for proper retirement. Other organizations that accept well-serviced Flags are the Knights of Columbus and the Elks Lodge.

If there is ever a question about proper use of the Stars and Stripes, a quick phone call to a local Veterans organization can put you on the right track. This is the Flag that many have died for and are still dying for today. By respecting our Flag, you are respecting our brave men and women all over the world.