1977 Cover First Pledge

Own Cover Commemorating the Publishing of the Pledge of Allegiance 

This Fleetwood cover is part of the Old Glory’s Proudest Moments collection. Each cover in this collection features an original painting depicting a significant moment in the history of the US flag. The cover bears two patriotic flag stamps. The cover was postmarked in the town where the author, Francis Bellamy, was raised and on the anniversary of the event. 

If you’re a history buff or a cover collector, this Old Glory’s Proudest Moments cover is for you. Order yours today.

Pledge of Allegiance First Published

On September 8, 1892, Francis Bellamy’s Pledge of Allegiance was published in The Youth’s Companion magazine to promote patriotism among children.

Francis Bellamy was raised in Rome, New York, where his father, David, was the pastor of the First Baptist Church. In 1885, Bellamy accepted a position with the Dearborn Street Church in Boston. While in Boston, Bellamy was part of a national committee that formed to foster patriotism in schools in conjunction with the 400th anniversary of Columbus’ discovery of America. James Upham of The Youth’s Companion magazine also saw the event as an opportunity to realize his goal – of placing flags in every school in America.

Bellamy was tasked with writing a brief salute to be recited as the flag was raised. Though the result was just 23 words, Bellamy labored over every one of them, ensuring the final pledge would be both concise and meaningful. He penned the pledge on September 7, and it was published the following day:

A month later, the pledge was recited for the first time by over 12 million school children on Columbus Day. The pledge soon became a daily exercise at most American schools, and in the decades that followed, it became commonplace in meetings and events throughout the country. The Pledge of Allegiance was officially adopted as America’s national pledge on December 28, 1945.

Though its ideals are still the same, the wording has changed over the years. In 1923, the phrase “the flag of the United States of America” replaced “my Flag,” to distinguish it from the flags of other nations. The words “under God” were added in 1954 but have come under attack as the battle over the separation of church and state continues.

Perhaps the most unusual change came not in the wording, however, but in the salute that Bellamy devised to be used during the pledge. In 1942, this straight-arm salute was dropped when the Nazi Party in Germany began using it, and the salute was changed to placing a hand over the heart. The pledge, as it has remained since 1954, is “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.”