Francis J. Bellamy, an editor of Youth's Companion, thought it would be a fine thing if on that day all the schoolchildren of America, in unison, offered something to their nation. He composed a pledge that the Bureau of Education mailed to virtually every school. As originally worded, it began, "I pledge allegiance to my Flag and to the Republic for which it stands …" A
Francis J. Bellamy, who was an editor at Youth's Companion, envisioned a day when American schoolchildren could unite to express their loyalty to the nation. To bring this idea to life, he drafted a pledge that emphasized their allegiance, which the Bureau of Education distributed widely to schools across the country. The pledge began with the words, "I pledge allegiance to my Flag and to the Republic for which it stands," reflecting a sense of national pride and unity.
This initiative was part of a larger cultural moment and is mentioned in Erik Larson's book, "The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America." The story delves into significant historical events and figures, intertwining themes of ambition and morality at the time of the Chicago World's Fair. Bellamy's pledge became iconic, symbolizing patriotism and a collective identity among American youth during that transformative period.
