Congress provided instructions for proper use of the pledge in 1942 and gave it official recognition in 1945. The last change in the language of the pledge occurred on Flag Day in 1954 during the Cold War, when Congress passed a law that added the words “under God” after “one nation.”
Records of the U.S. House of Representatives, National Archives and Records Administration
That 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 indivisible, with liberty and justice for all”, be rendered by standing with the right hand over the heart.
H.J. Res. 359, Joint Resolution to amend the U.S. Flag Code, December 16, 1942
The Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance dates back to the 1880s, when it was written to teach immigrant children about national loyalty. It has been revised on several occasions; during World War II Congress altered the form of the pledge’s accompanying salute. Uncomfortably resembling the Nazi salute, Congress changed it to placing the right hand over the heart. At the conclusion of the war in 1945, Congress officially recognized the Pledge of Allegiance.
Congress provided instructions for proper use of the pledge in 1942 and gave it official recognition in 1945. The last change in the language of the pledge occurred on Flag Day in 1954 during the Cold War, when Congress passed a law that added the words “under God” after “one nation.”
Records of the U.S. House of Representatives, National Archives and Records Administration
That 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 indivisible, with liberty and justice for all”, be rendered by standing with the right hand over the heart.
