Remember when we were in elementary school and the day started with saluting the American flag and saying The Pledge of Allegiance words. As a young child, I remember standing at my little desk with the opening in the front for my books and placing my hand over my heart. I felt proud to be a part of something greater than myself and proud to be an American.
Teachers and students in schools all over the United States begin their day by placing their hands over their hearts and reciting the words of the "The Pledge of Allegiance" Do they understand what these words mean? Why do students constantly incorrectly Google: "the words to the pledge of alligence?" While researching information for this post, I found many interesting facts about the Pledge of Allegiance text as well as facts about The American Flag.
7 Important Facts About the Pledge of Allegiance Words
What does it mean to Pledge Allegiance to the Flag?
Who wrote the Pledge of Allegiance Words?
The original Pledge of Allegiance Text
Folding the flag for storage
What does it mean to fly a flag at half-mast or half-staff?
Who determines whether a flag should fly at half-staff?
Are there other times when a flag is flown at half-staff?
Below are the printable words of "The Pledge of Allegiance" to help your students learn them!
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What does it mean to Pledge Allegiance to the Flag?
Your Patriotic Vow
When you say the Pledge of Allegiance text it means that you are taking a patriotic vow. You are saying that you will honor, love, respect and show devotion to the American Flag.
Who Wrote the words to the Pledge of Allegiance?
A Baptist minister named Francis Bellamy wrote the Pledge of Allegiance words to memorialize Christopher Columbus' discovery of America and published it in a children's magazine in 1892.
The Original Pledge of Allegiance Words
The original Pledge of Allegiance text read; “I pledge allegiance to my flag and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." It didn't contain the word God. The word God was added during the Cold War in 1954. Congress wanted to reassure the American people that it was understood that the United States shared a devotion to God, unlike the Soviets who were thought to be atheists.
Folding the flag for storage
Military Custom
There is a military custom which says that The American Flag should be folded in a triangle for storage. However, there is no official law for storing or folding The American Flag.
What does it mean to fly a flag at half-mast or half-staff?
Flying a flag at half- mast or half- staff is the way a flag is displayed. It should be midway between the top and bottom of the flagpole. When a flag is flying half-staff it is showing a sign of respect for important leaders of our country who died.
Who determines whether a flag should fly at half-staff?
The President of the United States and the state governors determine when and for how long a flag should remain at half-staff.
Are there other times when a flag is flown at half-staff?
It is customary to fly the flag at half-staff on days when we remember those who have
fought in wars for those who have served our country such as; Memorial Day, Patriot Day, Labor Day, National Firefighters Memorial Day and Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day and Peace Officers Memorial Day.
Now that you have the words of the Pledge of Allegiance printable, -- Revive Your Kids' Sense of Patriotism!
“America the Beautiful,” “The Star Spangled Banner” and even “God Bless America” were at one point on the lips of every elementary school-aged child in America.
Today, schools have made an alarming departure from teaching kids about patriotism, the importance of patriotic music and its place in American culture.
SchoolAssemblies.com's SPIRIT OF AMERICA show celebrates patriotism and the music associated with it. This inspirational, highly-participatory program instills those once-cherished values back into America's classrooms. Utilizing a visually exciting, multi-media concert format, David takes the students along on a journey through the history of America's music and introduces them to songwriters of America's most famous songs.
Additionally, he shows kids how this memorable music came about and where it fits into American history. On-screen Song lyrics are provided for the kids (and teachers).
From “Yankee Doodle” to James Brown. From Sousa Marches to Broadway, young audiences will be engulfed with fun, patriotism & participation.
*Please note this post has been updated for content and freshness.