The original Pledge of Allegiance was written by Francis Bellamy a former Baptist Minster. It was written for a family oriented magazine named The Youth’s Companion, the largest publication of any type in the Unites States at the time. It was first given wide publicity through the official program of the National Public Schools Celebration of the 400th Anniversary of Columbus discovering the New World. School children first recited the Pledge of Allegiance as:
“I pledge allegiance to my Flag and to the Republic for which it stands one Nation indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.”
“The flag of the United States” replaced the words “my Flag” in 1923 because it was thought that some foreign-born people might have in mind the flag of their country of birth instead of the United States flag. A year later, “of America” was added after “United States.” The Pledge of Allegiance was now:
“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.”
The Pledge of Allegiance did not receive Congressional recognition until June 22, 1942, when the Pledge was formally included in the U.S. Flag Code. The official name of The Pledge of Allegiance was adopted in 1945. The last change in language came on Flag Day 1954, when Congress passed a law, which added the words “under God” after”one nation.” The purpose of this now controversial law was to separate the United States from the Communists.
Originally, the pledge was said with the right hand in the so-called “Bellamy Salute,” with the right hand resting first outward from the chest, then the arm extending out from the body. After Hitler came to power in Europe, some Americans were concerned that this position of the arm and hand resembled the Nazi or Fascist salute. In 1942 Congress established the current practice of rendering the pledge with the right hand over the heart.
§ 4. Pledge of Allegiance to the flag; manner of delivery The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag,
“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.”, should be rendered by standing at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. When not in uniform men should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should remain silent, face the flag, and render the military salute.
The Flag Code also specifies that any future changes to the pledge would have to be with the consent of the President.
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