(The Conversation) — On Flag Day, a historian of religions in America explains how the Pledge of Allegiance, which honors the American flag, is part of American civil religion.

'I pledge allegiance' In 1892, less than 30 years after the Civil War, the United States was gearing up to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ voyage to the New World.

Francis J. Bellamy wrote the Pledge of Allegiance in 1892 and found a powerful ally in the patriotic National Education Association, which brought it to the American schoolroom. Here's his story.

In a moment that feels ripped from dystopian fiction, American schoolkids in 1940 stood with outstretched arms—Nazi-style—saluting the flag under a Pledge written by a Christian Socialist, in a ...

In fact, many schools and public buildings didn’t even have national flags, according to “To The Flag,” a 2005 book on the history of the Pledge, by Richard J. Ellis.

Brad Keselowski, #6 RFK Racing Castrol Ford, celebrates with an American flag during the running of the NASCAR Cup Series Goodyear 400 on May 12, 2024, at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South ...