“One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
Pledge of Allegiance roots
The Pledge of Allegiance, as we recite it today, is a testament to America’s enduring values of liberty, justice, and unity under God.
It first appeared in a magazine entitled “The Youth Companion” on September 8, 1892, edited by Francis Bellamy and James Upham.
The magazine issue was a commemoration of Christopher Columbus’ landing in 1492.
The Pledge was modified to incorporate Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, with the expression “Nation under God.”
The final and present form of the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America received formal recognition under President Dwight D. Eisenhower on Flag Day, June 14, 1954.
In 2002, this commitment was reaffirmed through legislation signed by President George W. Bush, cementing “One Nation under God” as a core American value.
3 founding American principles
1) Liberty and justice for all
The Pledge of Allegiance is a compact expression of America’s most fundamental values, among which liberty and justice stand paramount.
These ideals are not just aspirational but serve as the guiding principles for the nation’s laws and governance.
The Declaration of Independence boldly proclaimed the inherent rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, setting a global benchmark for freedom.
The Constitution and its Amendments, particularly through the Bill of Rights, operationalize these liberties and ensures that the government respects and protects the individual freedoms of its citizens.
This commitment to liberty and justice is a constant reminder of America’s promise to provide equal protection under the law for all its people, regardless of their background or beliefs.
2) A new birth of freedom
Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, with its profound declaration that this nation shall have “a new birth of freedom,” encapsulates the enduring spirit of American resilience and unity.
This statement acknowledges the immense sacrifices made during the Civil War but also reaffirms the belief in a united nation under God.
What do Lincoln’s words remind us of?
Well, freedom is not merely a state of being. Instead, it’s an ongoing commitment to equality and justice.
Not surprisingly, the inclusion of “nation under God” in the Pledge reflects this commitment, serving as a perpetual pledge to uphold these sacred values.
3) The power of unity
While it may seem a hard principle to achieve in today’s often polarized society, one thing is for sure:
The Pledge of Allegiance serves as a powerful tool for unity.
Amidst differences, it calls Americans to stand indivisible, emphasizing collective identity over individual divergence.
This unity does not demand uniformity in thought or action but rather a shared commitment to uphold the nation’s core values.
By pledging allegiance to the flag, Americans from diverse backgrounds and beliefs come together in a shared expression of patriotism, promising to support one another in the pursuit of liberty and justice for all.
Legal framework of the Pledge of Allegiance
Following the visionary ideals outlined in the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, along with its Amendments, established a comprehensive legal framework designed to operationalize those principles.
At its core, the Constitution orchestrated a system of governance that balanced power across three branches — legislative, executive, and judicial.
The aim was to prevent tyranny and protect freedoms.
Therefore, this structure was revolutionary, aimed at securing the nation’s aspirations for liberty and justice through a well-thought-out legal system.
- The First Ten Amendments, known collectively as the Bill of Rights, were specifically crafted to guarantee essential liberties such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press while safeguarding citizens’ rights to fair legal processes.
- Subsequent amendments continued to refine and expand on these rights, addressing issues like voting rights and equal protection under the law.
This evolving document has been the backbone of American law and governance that guided the nation through challenges and change.
Even today, it represents a living promise from the government to its people:
To uphold individual freedoms while fostering a just society.
The power of the Gettysburg address
Imagine standing in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on a chilly November day in 1863. Abraham Lincoln steps forward.
In just a few minutes, with words that would echo through eternity, he reminds us why America fought the Civil War.
Well, the battle of Gettysburg wasn’t just about the North versus the South. It was proving that a nation “conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal,” could truly endure.
Believe it or not, Lincoln called it a test.
Could a nation so divided come back together and live up to its founding principles?
His speech, brief but deep, wasn’t just to honor the fallen soldiers.
It was a call to action for all Americans to ensure that the “government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”
And this message still resonates, urging us to live up to those ideals of liberty and unity.
Birth of the Pledge
Now, fast forward to 1892. Picture a nation ready to celebrate 400 years since Columbus’s voyage.
In “The Youth Companion” magazine, a new pledge appears. Crafted by Francis Bellamy and James Upham, this Pledge of Allegiance was more than words. It was a commitment to the principles that held the nation together.
This initial version of the Pledge aimed to encapsulate the sense of unity and dedication to the principles upon which the nation was founded.
Even in its earliest form, the Pledge served as a verbal symbol of allegiance to the ideals of liberty and justice enshrined in America’s foundational documents.
It was a call to acknowledge and affirm one’s commitment to the nation and its guiding values.
The introduction of the Pledge in “The Youth Companion” initiated a tradition that would see the words slightly altered and eventually solidified into the version we recite today.
This evolution reflects America’s ongoing journey toward realizing its ideals of equality and freedom for all its citizens.
This means that the birth of the Pledge marks a significant moment in this journey, symbolizing a collective aspiration toward national unity and moral integrity.
Evolution of the Pledge
The Pledge of Allegiance has undergone several transformations since its inception which reflects the nation’s evolving values and the deepening understanding of what it means to pledge one’s loyalty to the United States.
Initially crafted in 1892, the Pledge was a simple affirmation of allegiance to the flag and the Republic for which it stands. However, key modifications in the 20th century would embed even deeper significance into its words.
The most notable change came in 1954, during President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s administration when the phrase “under God” was added.
This inclusion was influenced by Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address and aimed to fortify the nation’s resolve during the Cold War era, emphasizing the United States’ spiritual foundation against atheistic communism.
On Flag Day, June 14, 1954, the Pledge received formal recognition in its current form:
“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.”
By incorporating “under God,” the Pledge underscores a collective acknowledgment of America’s foundational principles and a commitment to uphold these ideals across generations.
Reaffirmation act
In a significant act of legislative affirmation, President George W. Bush signed the Pledge of Allegiance Reaffirmation Act on November 13, 2002.
This act was a clear statement of the nation’s enduring values, specifically reaffirming “One Nation under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance and “In God We Trust” as the national motto of the United States of America.
The enactment of this law was a response to debates and legal challenges regarding the inclusion of religious phrases in public declarations, aiming to preserve the historical and spiritual essence of the nation as reflected in its pledge and motto.
This reaffirmation served not only as a legal endorsement but also as a public declaration of America’s foundational principles.
It highlighted the importance of recognizing a higher power in the ethos of national unity and governance, echoing sentiments from the nation’s past leaders and founding documents.
Key takeaways from the US Pledge of Allegiance
Now, let’s take a moment to reflect on the profound significance of the Pledge of Allegiance.
Every word in the Pledge is a testament to what we stand for as a nation, uniting us across different backgrounds and beliefs.
Think about it: every time we recite those words, we’re joining a centuries-old tradition of honoring and committing to the ideals that define the American spirit.
Here are the key themes that make the Pledge of Allegiance so inspiring:
- National identity: The Pledge is a pillar of American identity, weaving together the fabric of our nation with threads of liberty, unity, and justice.
- Commitment to liberty: From the ringing declarations of independence to the solemn promises of today, America’s journey is marked by a steadfast commitment to liberty.
- Patriotic duty: The evolution of the Pledge from its original conception to its current form serves as a reminder of our patriotic duty.
So, let’s remember that the Pledge of Allegiance is not just about the words we say — it’s about the actions we take every day to live up to those words.
It challenges us to be better, to do more for our country and for each other, forging a more perfect union with every generation.
