he pledge was also printed up and sent to schools all across the country. Bellamy’s idea was a great success. On October 12, 1892, more than 12 million schoolchildren celebrated Columbus Day by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. The Pledge became so popular that Americans have been reciting it ever since

carefully chose the words

I promise to be loyal

to the flag of the United States of America,

nd I promise to be loyal to the country and type of government

that the flag stands for--

a single country,

Think about these words the next time you pledge allegiance to the flag. Remember that you are promising to be loyal to the ideas that make America a special place. And that means helping your country to be its very best.

a country that can never be divided,

nd a country where there is freedom and fairness for everyone.

people get to elect those who make the laws. Bellamy believed that being loyal to America meant being loyal to this idea.

The words "one nation" and "indivisibl

e" had special meaning for Bellamy, too. Only 30 years before, the United States had fought a terrible civil war. Back then, the nation had nearly broken in two.

We can never let such a thing happen again. We are one country, forever."

Columbus Day

with liberty and justice for all.

freedom and fairness