Understanding the Pledge of Allegiance and Its Significance

Most Americans grow up saying the Pledge of Allegiance with their hand over their heart. But for decades, that’s not how it was done. When the pledge was first written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy, students were instructed to perform something called the Bellamy Salute. Children would face the American flag and extend their arm straight toward it while reciting the pledge. At the time, it was meant to create unity and patriotism, especially as millions of immigrants were arriving in the United Sta