<Tr> <Td_colspan="2"> "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 ." </Td> </Tr> <P> The Pledge of Allegiance is an oath of allegiance to the United States, addressed to both the flag and the Republic . It was composed by Rear Admiral George Balch in 1887, and revised by Francis Bellamy in 1892 . In 1942 it was formally adopted by Congress . Congress gave it the name The Pledge of Allegiance in 1945 . In 1954 the words "under God" were added . </P> <P> Though many countries have oaths of allegiances for specific purposes, the US remains one of the few to use such an oath in childhood education . </P> <P> Congressional sessions open with the recital of the Pledge, as do many government meetings at local levels, and meetings held by many private organizations . All states except Hawaii, Iowa, Vermont and Wyoming require a regularly - scheduled recitation of the pledge in the public schools, although the Supreme Court has ruled in West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette that students cannot be compelled to recite the Pledge, nor can they be punished for not doing so . A number of states state flag pledges of allegiance to be recited after this . </P>

When did the pledge of allegiance begin in schools