America's Story

A Pictoral History of the Pledge of Allegiance

Author: Tricia Raymond

Price $15.00

America’s Story: A Pictorial History of the Pledge of Allegiance

It’s among our most timeless traditions – a 31-word salute that we know like we know our own name – the Pledge of Allegiance. Yet, how many Americans know the history of the Pledge - who wrote it? And when? Is the Pledge we recite today the same Pledge that our grandparents recited when they were young? Why was the Pledge written in the first place? Is the phrase, "under God", original to the Pledge? If it is not, when was it added? And why?

Each of these questions, and more, is answered in America's Story: A Pictorial History of the Pledge of Allegiance. Meticulously supported with original documents and historical photographs, this book reveals a fascinating slice of America's past that, until now, has never been published for young readers. More significantly, America’s Story: A Pictorial History of the Pledge of Allegiance compiles information that has never before been published for any audience, young or otherwise.

The history begins in 1888 with an advertisement in The Youth's Companion to sell American flags. Thus began the Schoolhouse Flag Movement, which set the stage for public schools across the nation to simultaneously celebrate the 400th anniversary of the discovery of America. It was for this occasion the Pledge of Allegiance was written.

America’s Story: A Pictorial History of the Pledge of Allegiance chronicles the fascinating "story behind the story" that ultimately resulted in an estimated 12 million school children reciting the Pledge of Allegiance for the very first time in 1892. The author takes the reader from post-Civil War America, explaining why the Schoolhouse Flag Movement was attempted in the first place, to the mid-20th century, revealing why a little known Congressman from Michigan proposed legislation to insert the phrase, "under God", in the Pledge.

The growth of the flag campaign, the accompanying emergence of flag salutes, the role of the Chicago World's Fair in the enormity of the first Columbus Day celebration, the dramatic account of how the Pledge was nearly never written, the eternal mystery attached to the Pledge's authorship, and the mix-up about the real date of Columbus' discovery - all of this is written succinctly and entertainingly for young readers.

Every parent who wants their children to grow up knowing the history of the Pledge of Allegiance will benefit from America’s Story.

Angie, homeschooling Mom – "Our children range in grades from 3rd to 9th, and the book kept everyone’s attention … they were hanging on every word to the end…"

Representative Rita Martinson, MS – "Your writings on the history of the Pledge of Allegiance are, to say the least, the most inspiring I have ever read."

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Saving One Nation Under God

Saving the pledge of allegiance.

Author: Tricia Raymond

Price $15.00

 To the vast majority of Americans, saving the Pledge of Allegiance for future generations is as critical as saving America’s Founding documents. But attacks on the Pledge in recent years have become more blatant, and for some it has become a platform for discord rather than the voice of unity. For all its controversy though, the majority of Americans are ill-informed about the narrative of how a simple 22-word salute to the American flag became an impassioned oath.

Saving One Nation Under God is that story.

In this well researched, easy-to-follow book, author Tricia Raymond challenges the accepted version of the Pledge’s history that has been published over past decades and takes a fresh look at the people and times in which it was created. Her careful recanting of the socio- economic- and political climate of the late 1800s clearly demonstrates how the American flag and the Pledge were a reaction to radical ideas attacking American principles, and how both played a critical role in unifying the nation. But, Raymond goes further. In offering her unfettered reflections and research on current controversies, particularly the controversial "under God", she makes a compelling case for the continued recitation "as is."

Anyone interested in American history will be challenged to re-evaluate past renditions of how the Pledge of Allegiance came to be, or learn its history for the first time. Either way, readers will be amazed to discover a slice of history they have never known.

Wirt Yerger, author, "A Courageous Cause" – "An outstanding book – something everyone needs to know and pass along to their children and grandchildren."

Roy Nicholson, Chairman MS Tea Party – "One of the finest books I have ever read."