The U.S. Pledge of Allegiance is a patriotic recited verse that promises allegiance to the flag of the United States and the republic of the United States. The first version was written in 1885 by Captain George Thatcher Balch, a Union army officer in the Civil War who later wrote a book on how to teach patriotism to children in public schools. In 1892, Francis Bellamy revised Balch's verse as part of a magazine promotion surrounding the World's Columbian Exposition, which celebrated the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus' arrival in the Americas. Bellamy, the circulation manager for The Youth's Companion magazine, helped persuade then-president Benjamin Harrison to institute Columbus Day as a national holiday and lobbied Congress for a national school celebration of the day.
US Pledge of Allegiance first recited in public schools during Columbus Day
The U.S. Pledge of Allegiance is a patriotic recited verse that promises allegiance to the flag of the United States and the republic of the United States.
Events Before
French troops occupy Nioro, West Sudan, and 3,000 people are killed
French troops occupy Nioro, West Sudan, and 3,000 people are killed
A Hatfield marries a McCoy, ends long feud in West Virginia it started with an accusation of pig-stealing & lasted 20 ye
A Hatfield marries a McCoy, ends long feud in West Virginia it started with an accusation of pig-stealing & lasted 20 years
56th UK Prime Minister Bonar Law (32) weds Annie Robley at West Free Church in Helensburgh, Scotland
56th UK Prime Minister Bonar Law (32) weds Annie Robley at West Free Church in Helensburgh, Scotland
1st World Weightlifting Championship is won by Edward Lawrence in London
1st World Weightlifting Championship is won by Edward Lawrence in London
Music Hall (now Carnegie Hall) opens in New York City, with Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky as guest conductor of the New York
Music Hall (now Carnegie Hall) opens in New York City, with Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky as guest conductor of the New York Music Society Orchestra
Events After
First U.S. college extension courses for credit are offered at the University of Chicago
The University of Chicago (UChicago, Chicago, UChi, or U of C) is a private research university in the Hyde Park community area of Chicago, Illinois, United States. The university is composed of an...
British poet and writer Rudyard Kipling (26) weds Carrie Balestier (29) at All Souls Church in Langham Place, London, En
British poet and writer Rudyard Kipling (26) weds Carrie Balestier (29) at All Souls Church in Langham Place, London, England; writer. Henry James gave away the bride
Thomas Edison completes the world's first movie studio in West Orange, New Jersey
Thomas Alva Edison (February 11, 1847 – October 18, 1931) was an American inventor and businessman.
Panic of 1893 causes a large crash on the NY Stock Exchange
Panic of 1893 causes a large crash on the NY Stock Exchange
Henri Desgrange establishes world's 1st bicycle world record, travelling 35.325 km (21.95 miles) an hour
Henri Desgrange establishes world's 1st bicycle world record, travelling 35.325 km (21.95 miles) an hour
More from the 1890s
Physicist J. J. Thomson (33) weds Rose Elisabeth Paget
Physicist J. J. Thomson (33) weds Rose Elisabeth Paget
Ellis Island opens as a US immigration inspection station and becomes the gateway to the United States for more than 12
Ellis Island opens as a US immigration inspection station and becomes the gateway to the United States for more than 12 million people
German physicist Wilhelm Röntgen announces his discovery of X-rays
German physicist Wilhelm Röntgen announces his discovery of X-rays
Eritrea is consolidated into a colony by the Italian government
Eritrea, officially the State of Eritrea, is a country in the Horn of Africa region of East Africa. Its capital and largest city is Asmara.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on October 12, 1892?
- The U.S. Pledge of Allegiance is a patriotic recited verse that promises allegiance to the flag of the United States and the republic of the United States. The first version was written in 1885 by Captain George Thatcher Balch, a Union army officer in the Civil War who later wrote a book on how to teach patriotism to children in public schools.
- Why is US Pledge of Allegiance first recited in public schools during Columbus Day historically important?
- In 1892, Francis Bellamy revised Balch's verse as part of a magazine promotion surrounding the World's Columbian Exposition, which celebrated the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus' arrival in the Americas. Bellamy, the circulation manager for The Youth's Companion magazine, helped persuade then-president Benjamin Harrison to institute Columbus Day as a national holiday and lobbied Congress for a national school celebration of the day.