The USA Pledge of Allegiance was written in August 1892 by Socialist minister Francis Bellamy and was originally published in The Youth's Companion on September 8, 1892 so the pledge would be used by citizens in any country.
The original version read:
"I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
In 1923, the words, "the Flag of the United States of America" were added. At this time it read:
"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
In 1954, in response to the Communist threat of the times, President Eisenhower encouraged Congress to add the words "under God," creating the 31-word pledge we say today. Today it reads:
"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."
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Despite Americans’ nostalgia for bipartisanship, it’s clear that the partisan divide between Democrats and Republicans is significant and deep-seated. Embracing this reality is far healthier than denying it.