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Use Cases
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Resources
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Pricing
History of Pledge of Allegiance
Events
Pledge Written
August 1892
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by Francis Bellamy
Pledge Published
September 1892
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in the The Youth's Companion
First Law about Reciting
April 22, 1898
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The first law is passed about requiring pledge recitation in schools in New York
Words Changed
1923 - 1924
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from "I pledge allegiance to my flag" to "I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America" by the National Flag Congress
Minersville School District v. Gobitis
June 3, 1940
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Lillian and William Gobitis were expelled from their school for refusing to salute the flag at school every day. They were Jehovah's witnesses and believed this went against the bible. The Supreme Court upheld the mandatory flag salute. This means that kids could be expelled for refusing to recite the pledge.
Eight Section Act Passed
June 22, 1942
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The 77th Congress passed an eight section act that officially recognized the pledge. The flag code becomes law.
Salute Change
December 22, 1942
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Congress changes the mandatory flag salute to hand over heart from the previous salute of straight arm.
West Virginia Board of Education v. Barnette
June 14, 1943
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Required that all students and staff were to salute the flag every day at school. Refusal to do so was insubordination. The Supreme Court ruled that compelling kids to salute the flag every day was unconstitutional. This reversed the ruling from the previous case of Minersville School District v. Gobitis.
Sons of the American Revolution
February 12, 1948
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The chaplain includes "under God" in pledge recitation
Knights of Columbus
April 1951
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The Knights of Columbus adopt a resolution to amend the pledge to have the words "under god"
Hearst Newspapers
1952 - 1954
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Begin a campaign to add "under God" to the pledge
House and Senate Introduce Bills
1953
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Introduce bills to add "under God" into pledge
Rep. Louis Rabaut
April 1953
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He introduces a bill to Congress proposing that the pledge include the words "one nation under God"
Rev. George M. Docherty
February 1954
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He gave a sermon while President Eisenhower was in attendance. He argues that the words "under God" should be added so it would be differentiated from the one recited by communist heathens in Moscow.
Flag Day
June 14, 1954
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Eisenhower signs the bill to include the words "under God" in the pledge
Federal Ruling
June 27, 2002
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A federal appeals court rules that it is unconstitutional for public schools to recite the pledge because of the words "under God," that is an endorsement of religion
Jane Doe v. Acton Boxborough Regional School District
2014
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A group of parents and teachers claimed the use of "Under God" in the pledge violated the equal protection clause of the state's constitution. Supreme Court did not agree with them, they ruled that it does not violate the constitution nor the statute.