Pledge of Allegiance of the United States

"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."


In 1954, in response to the Communist threat of the times, President Eisenhower encouraged Congress to add the words "under God," creating the 31-word pledge we say today. Today it reads:

"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."

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

DAY 22 - DAILY HISTORY - AMERICAN MINUTE FOR JUNE 15, 2011


American Minute for June 15th:


    The Legend of Robin Hood speaks of Richard the Lionheart, so named for his courage in leading the Third Crusade in 1190AD to win back Jerusalem from the Muslims. Jerusalem had been taken from Byzantine Christian and Jewish inhabitants by Caliph Umar's bloody siege in 638AD. Though he did not retake Jerusalem, Richard made a truce with Saladin in 1192 AD for safe passage of religious pilgrims. When approximately 15,000 inhabitants of Jerusalem could not afford ransome, Saladin sold them into slavery. On Richard's return trip to England, he was captured by rival Duke Leopold of Austria, and spent three years in prison. Legend has it Richard's loyal minstrel, Blondel, traveled from kingdom to kingdom, singing Richard's favorite song and heard Richard sing the second verse from the prison tower. Freed by an enormous "king's ransom," Richard returned to England and took back the throne from his brother John. Five years later Richard died in battle and John ruled oppressively in England. The angry barons captured London and, on JUNE 15, 1215, surrounded King John on the plains of Runnymeade, forcing him to sign the Magna Carta. This was the first time in history the arbitrary powers of a king were limited. The Magna Carta ends: "for the salvation of our souls, and the souls of all our...heirs, and unto the honor of God."


Endnotes


Magna Carta. 1215. Benjamin Hart, Faith & Freedom - The Christian Roots of American Liberty (Dallas, TX: Lewis & Stanley, 1988), p. 17.


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