- The United States
- The flag
The flag is an important symbol of the United States. The Pledge of Allegiance to the flag 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.”
When we say the Pledge of Allegiance, we usually stand facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. Francis Bellamy wrote the pledge.
It was first published in The Youth’s Companion magazine in 1892 for children to say on the anniversary of Columbus’s discovery of America.
Congress officially recognized the pledge on June 22, 1942. Two changes have been made since it was written in 1892. “I pledge allegiance to my flag” was changed to “I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.” Congress added the phrase “under God” on June 14, 1954.
** As you prepare for U.S. citizenship, Learn About the United States: Quick Civics Lessons will help you study for the civics and English portions of the naturalization interview. There are 100 civics (history and government) questions on the naturalization test. During your naturalization interview, you will be asked up to 10 questions from the list of 100 questions. You must answer correctly six (6) of the 10 questions to pass the civics test.