THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE IN SCHOOLS

In December 28, 1945, most likely inspired by the recent end of World War II, the United States Congress officially recognized the Pledge of Allegiance and urged its frequent recitation in America’s schools. The pledge was composed in 1892 by Francis Bellamy, a Baptist minister. Bellamy was chairman of a committee of state school superintendents of education, and several public schools adopted his pledge as part of the Columbus Day quadricentennial celebration that year.

In 1954, the Knights of Columbus persuaded Congress to add the words, “under god” to the pledge igniting a controversy that still rages on today. In 2002 a federal appeals courts found the pledge unconstitutional for use in the public schools due to the “under god” phrase.