It all began on September 8,1892, when the Boston based magazine "The Youth's Companion" published a few words written by Francis Bellamy,the circulation manager, for students to repeat on Columbus Day that year.

"I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands- one nation indivisible-with liberty and justice for all."

It was not until 1942 that Congress officially recognized the Pledge of Allegiance. One year later, in June 1943, the Supreme Court ruled that school children could not be forced to recite it. In fact,today only half of our fifty states have laws that encourage the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance in the classroom!