The Pledge of Allegiance was originally written by Francis Bellamy in 1892, and it was first widely recited in public schools in 1893 during a celebration of the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. In 1942, the United States Congress officially recognized the Pledge of Allegiance with the addition of the phrase "under God" as a way to reflect the nation's religious heritage and values.
The practice of reciting the Pledge of Allegiance has, however, been a subject of some controversy and legal debate. In 1943, the Supreme Court ruled in the case of West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette that public school students could not be compelled to salute the American flag or recite the Pledge of Allegiance if they objected on religious or conscientious grounds. This ruling upheld individuals' right to freedom of speech and religious freedom.
Despite this ruling, reciting the Pledge of Allegiance remains a widespread tradition in public schools across the United States. It is worth noting that some schools might choose not to enforce mandatory recitation of the Pledge, allowing students the option to participate voluntarily or to remain silent during the recitation.
Furthermore, in recent years, there have been discussions and proposals in some school districts to revise the wording of the Pledge of Allegiance to be more inclusive and representative of the diverse backgrounds and beliefs of the student population. These discussions reflect the ongoing efforts to promote inclusivity and respect for all individuals within educational settings.