Pledge of Allegiance first recited in US public schools for Columbus quadricentennial

Background. The campaign originated from James Upham's desire to place flags on every schoolhouse, resulting in 25,000 schools acquiring flags in 1892–93. Upham linked this movement to the 400th anniversary of Columbus's arrival, seeking to ensure every school held a flag raising. Francis Bellamy, hired in 1891, was placed in charge of the operation, lobbying superintendents, governors, and Congressmen to support the National Public-School Celebration.

Composition and Publication. Francis Bellamy composed the pledge in August 1892, finding previous verses too juvenile. He revised Balch's verse for the magazine promotion surrounding the World's Columbian Exposition. The text was published in the September 8, 1892, issue of The Youth's Companion as part of the National Public-School Celebration. This publication immediately put the pledge to use in the campaign, establishing it as the official program for universal use in schools.

National Recitation. President Benjamin Harrison announced a proclamation making the public school flag ceremony the center of Columbus Day celebrations. On October 12, 1892, the pledge was first used in public schools during observances coinciding with the opening of the World's Columbian Exposition. Over 10,000 children recited the verse together on October 21, 1892, following the distribution of leaflets to schools across the country.