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The Pledge of Allegiance Facts & Worksheets

The Pledge of Allegiance is a promise to be loyal to the US that is said especially by American children at school at the start of each day.

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The Pledge of Allegiance is a promise to be loyal to the US that is said especially by American children at school at the start of each day.

See the fact file below for more information on The Pledge of Allegiance or alternatively, you can download our 25-page The Pledge of Allegiance worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

THE UNITED STATES

  • During the formative age of the United States from 1500-1865, three wars were suffered to create the territories: the Seven Years’ War (1756-63), American Revolution (ca. 1775-83) and Civil War (1861-65), all during the age of expansion.
  • During the age of industrialization (ca. 1865-1914), the American steel and oil industries boomed. The population surged as Europeans began to immigrate.
  • More American territories and colonies including Alaska, some Pacific countries (Samoa and Philippines), and Caribbean (Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands) contributed to the country’s growing world power.
  • During the first World War (ca. 1914-1918), the United States remained until 1917, when German attacks on American merchant vessels compelled a defensive response.
  • Then, with the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, the United States once again joined the Second World War and became one of the members of the Allied forces.
  • Not long after WWII, the United States entered The Cold War (ca. 1945-1991) against its superpower rival, the Soviet Union (USSR).
  • These two struggled for global political dominance.
  • Contemporary America soon experienced internal peace and development from 1991 to present under the leadership of Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump (2020-).

THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

  • Francis Bellamy (1855-1931), a socialist minister, wrote The Pledge of Allegiance in August 1892.
  • It was originally published in The Youth’s Companion on September 8, 1892.
  • The original form read:
    “I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
  • The words, “the Flag of the United States of America” were added in 1923. At this time it read:
    “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.”
  • In response to the Communist threat (1954), President Eisenhower encouraged Congress to add the words “under God”, creating the 31-word pledge we say today.
    “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.”
  • Section 4 of the Flag Code states:
    “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 any non-religious 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.”
  • Francis Bellamy described in 1892 in the original Bellamy salute that the pledge should begin with a military salute, and after reciting the words “to the flag”, the arm was extended toward the flag.
  • At a signal from the Principal the pupils, in ordered ranks, hands to the side, face the Flag. Another signal is given; every pupil gives the flag the military salute — right hand lifted, palm downward, to a line with the forehead and close to it. Standing thus, all repeat together, slowly, “I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands; one Nation indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.” At the words, “to my Flag,” the right hand is extended gracefully, palm upward, toward the Flag, and remains in this gesture till the end of the affirmation; whereupon all hands immediately drop to the side.
    The Youth’s Companion, 1892

West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette

  • The Pledge of Allegiance was not wholly accepted by the American people. In the early 1940s the Jehovah’s Witnesses challenged the West Virginia Board of Education’s requirement that students salute the flag and recite the Pledge of Allegiance or be expelled.
  • They argued that this was against their religious beliefs and violated the first and fourteenth amendments.
  • In a Supreme Court 6–3 decision in favor of Barnette, on June 4, 1943, Justice Robert Jackson stressed that:
    The very purpose of a Bill of Rights was to withdraw certain subjects from the vicissitudes of political controversy, to place them beyond the reach of majorities and officials and to establish them as legal principles to be applied by the courts. One’s right to life, liberty, and property, to free speech, a free press, freedom of worship and assembly, and other fundamental rights may not be submitted to vote; they depend on the outcome of no elections.

The Pledge of Allegiance Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about The Pledge of Allegiance across 25 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use The Pledge of Allegiance worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about the Pledge of Allegiance which is a promise to be loyal to the US that is said especially by American children at school at the start of each day.

Complete List Of Included Worksheets

  • United States
  • Symbol of the State
  • Allegiance Translated
  • Tests of Allegiance
  • Taste of Betrayal
  • Pledge of Allegiance
  • My National Flag
  • Proof of Allegiance
  • Violating Allegiance
  • Call to the Citizens

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Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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