Pledge of Allegiance Definitions

Link here to hear Red Skelton.
  Pledge:   solemn promise

      Allegiance: loyalty to a person or cause

 Republic: government which elects representatives  to make decisions for the nation  which it stands: the flag as a reminder, or a symbol of our country
  nation:    a community of people who share the same history, customs, and country

  indivisible: cannot be divided

liberty: freedom from unjust government control
 justice: fair treatment
Pledge:   solemn promise

      Allegiance: loyalty to a person or cause

 Republic: government which elects representatives  to make decisions for the nation  which it stands: the flag as a reminder, or a symbol of our country
  nation:    a community of people who share the same history, customs, and country

  indivisible: cannot be divided

liberty: freedom from unjust government control

  justice: fair treatment

FLAG ETIQUETTE

 The following are not laws;
they are examples of courteous flag etiquette.

  1. Fly a U.S. flag above all other flags on a flagpole.

  2. An upside-down flag is a sign of distress.

  3. A flag at half-mast is a sign of mourning.

  4. When raising or lowering a flag half-mast, first raise the flag to
    the top of the flagpole.

  5. It is unacceptable to lower a flag over a casket into a grave.

  6. It is acceptable to display a flag at night if it is properly illuminated.

  7. The blue portion of the flag will be visible on a properly folded flag.

  8. Give a flag that's beyond repair to your local American Legion Post
    - they will dispose of it properly.

           



SYMBOLS OF FREEDOM

         Site Location:  http://bensguide.gpo.gov/3-5/symbols/
         This site provides an overview of fourteen symbols and government buildings.  
         Also included on this site are several songs, pledges, and oaths.  


Research Teams Should Select ONE Symbol from the List Below:  

  •   U.S. Flag

    Site Location: http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/
    Click on "Betsy Ross sewed the first American flag." Read the story. A) Who asked Betsy Ross to sew the flag? B) Describe 1 of the other flags that existed before the American flag. Use complete sentences.

     

  •   How to Cut a 5 Point Star in One Snip

    Site Location: http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagstar.html
    Follow these step-by-step directions to cut a five pointed star in one snip. URL: 

     

  •   Flag facts

    Site Location: http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagfact.html
    Are you up to the challenge?  When was the first American flag sewn? What is the official national anthem? Which states did the stars represent? What state was represented by the 24th star? When did the first flag appear on a postage stamp? When is President's Day?

     

  •   Flag Trivia

    Site Location: http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagtriv.html
    Test your flag knowledge?  What is a vexillologist?  What is flagpole sitting?  Where did the rhythm for "The Star-Spangled Banner" originate?  Why would you fly a flag upside down?  Make up some trivia questions of your own.

  •   Flag Etiquette

    Site Location: http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagetiq.html
    Flag etiquette contains the rules and regulations regarding proper handling of the flag. Can you fold a flag correctly? What is meant by "half-staff"? What do the stripes and stars represent?

  •   Flag Picture Gallery

    Site Location: http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagpics.html
    On a piece of white construction paper, make a copy of your favorite flag.

     

  •   Betsy Ross and The American Flag

    Site Location: http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagtale.html
    Betsy sewed the first American flag. Read this story for a detailed analysis of the historical facts. Why is our flag red, white and blue? Who asked Betsy to sew the flag? What was Betsy's profession? When did she finish the flag? When was the flag adopted? Why was Betsy asked to sew the flag?

     

  •   The Story of Betsy Ross's Life

    Site Location: http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flaghome.html
    Betsy Ross's life was one of triumph through adversity. She was disowned by the Quakers. She lost one husband to an explosion at a munitions depot he was guarding, her second husband died in prison, and her third husband was very ill until his death. She had seven daughters, two of whom died as infants. Describe an upholsterer's job then and now. Describe a "read-out".





  •   Washington Monument

    Site Location: http://www.nps.gov/wamo/
    What three facts can you learn about the Washington Monument?

 

 

 




  •   Lincoln Memorial
    Site Location:  http://www.nps.gov/linc/home.htm
    View the Lincoln Memorial. 1.Describe the statue of Lincoln. 2.Who was the architect for the memorial?
    Who was Mr. Lincoln? Why did they create a memorial for Lincoln? What did he do?

  •   Lincoln Memorial

          Site Location:  http://sc94.ameslab.gov/TOUR/linmem.html
         Actual photo of the Lincoln Memorial and information.  What do the columns on the monument represent?


  •   Jefferson Memorial

     Site Location:  http://sc94.ameslab.gov/TOUR/jeffmem.html
     Actual photo of the Jefferson Memorial and information.
  •   Jefferson Memorial
    Site Location:  http://www.nps.gov/jefm/
    What were some of Thomas Jefferson's occupations?  Besides being the 3rd President of the United States, 
    for what else is Thomas Jefferson know as?  
 


 

   


 

  •   White House
    Site Location:  http://www.nps.gov/whho/
    What is the annual budget for the White House?  How many people visit each year?
 


          Site Location:  http://sc94.ameslab.gov/TOUR/capitol.html
          Actual photograph of the Capitol and information.  Why did the Capitol have to be 
          rebuilt at one point in history?  




         Site Location:  http://travelsd.com/placestogo/rushmore/index.asp
         This site contains an actual photograph of Mount Rushmore and information.  


  •   Seal
    Site Location:  http://www.greatseal.com/ 
    Where do you find a picture of the Great Seal almost everyday? Copy and paste the symbol. Give a detailed description of the seal. Be sure to give the meaning of the symbols on the seal.

   Uncle Sam

Who is rumored to be the "real" Uncle Sam? What did he do for a living? What is written on Uncle Sam's most famous portrait?
 
Our National Anthem
The Star Spangled Banner
O say, can you see, by the, by the dawn's early light,

What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watch'd, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore dimly seen thro' the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner: O, long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more?
Their blood has wash'd out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave:

And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
O thus be it ever when free-men shall stand
Between their lov'd home and the war's desolation;
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land
Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserv'd us a nation!
nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: “In God is our trust!”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
Francis Scott Key


 
The US Presidents Reference Desk


The White House Presidential Terms of Office
Biographies of US Presidents Order of Presidential Succession
Electoral College Quiz Burial Places of the Presidents
Political Glossary


SYMBOLS OF FREEDOM

         Site Location:  http://bensguide.gpo.gov/3-5/symbols/
         This site provides an overview of fourteen symbols and government buildings.  
         Also included on this site are several songs, pledges, and oaths.  


Research Teams Should Select ONE Symbol from the List Below: 

  •   U.S. Flag

    Site Location: http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/
    Click on "Betsy Ross sewed the first American flag." Read the story. A) Who asked Betsy Ross to sew the flag? B) Describe 1 of the other flags that existed before the American flag. Use complete sentences.

     

  •   How to Cut a 5 Point Star in One Snip

    Site Location: http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagstar.html
    Follow these step-by-step directions to cut a five pointed star in one snip. URL: 

     

  •   Flag facts

    Site Location: http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagfact.html
    Are you up to the challenge?  When was the first American flag sewn? What is the official national anthem? Which states did the stars represent? What state was represented by the 24th star? When did the first flag appear on a postage stamp? When is President's Day?

     

  •   Flag Trivia

    Site Location: http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagtriv.html
    Test your flag knowledge?  What is a vexillologist?  What is flagpole sitting?  Where did the rhythm for "The Star-Spangled Banner" originate?  Why would you fly a flag upside down?  Make up some trivia questions of your own.


  •   Flag Etiquette

    Site Location: http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagetiq.html
    Flag etiquette contains the rules and regulations regarding proper handling of the flag. Can you fold a flag correctly? What is meant by "half-staff"? What do the stripes and stars represent?

  •   Flag Picture Gallery

    Site Location: http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagpics.html
    On a piece of white construction paper, make a copy of your favorite flag.

     

  •   Betsy Ross and The American Flag

    Site Location: http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagtale.html
    Betsy sewed the first American flag. Read this story for a detailed analysis of the historical facts. Why is our flag red, white and blue? Who asked Betsy to sew the flag? What was Betsy's profession? When did she finish the flag? When was the flag adopted? Why was Betsy asked to sew the flag?

     

  •   The Story of Betsy Ross's Life

    Site Location: http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flaghome.html
    Betsy Ross's life was one of triumph through adversity. She was disowned by the Quakers. She lost one husband to an explosion at a munitions depot he was guarding, her second husband died in prison, and her third husband was very ill until his death. She had seven daughters, two of whom died as infants. Describe an upholsterer's job then and now. Describe a "read-out".





  •   Washington Monument

    Site Location: http://www.nps.gov/wamo/
    What three facts can you learn about the Washington Monument?

 

 

 




  •   Lincoln Memorial
    Site Location:  http://www.nps.gov/linc/home.htm
    View the Lincoln Memorial. 1.Describe the statue of Lincoln. 2.Who was the architect for the memorial?
    Who was Mr. Lincoln? Why did they create a memorial for Lincoln? What did he do?

  •   Lincoln Memorial

          Site Location:  http://sc94.ameslab.gov/TOUR/linmem.html
         Actual photo of the Lincoln Memorial and information.  What do the columns on the monument represent?


  •   Jefferson Memorial

     Site Location:  http://sc94.ameslab.gov/TOUR/jeffmem.html
     Actual photo of the Jefferson Memorial and information.
  •   Jefferson Memorial
    Site Location:  http://www.nps.gov/jefm/
    What were some of Thomas Jefferson's occupations?  Besides being the 3rd President of the United States, 
    for what else is Thomas Jefferson know as?  
 


 

   


 

  •   White House
    Site Location:  http://www.nps.gov/whho/
    What is the annual budget for the White House?  How many people visit each year?
 


          Site Location:  http://sc94.ameslab.gov/TOUR/capitol.html
          Actual photograph of the Capitol and information.  Why did the Capitol have to be 
          rebuilt at one point in history?  



         Site Location:  http://travelsd.com/placestogo/rushmore/index.asp
         This site contains an actual photograph of Mount Rushmore and information.  


  •   Seal
    Site Location:  http://www.greatseal.com/ 
    Where do you find a picture of the Great Seal almost everyday? Copy and paste the symbol. Give a detailed description of the seal. Be sure to give the meaning of the symbols on the seal.

   Uncle Sam

 Who is rumored to be the "real" Uncle Sam? What did he do for a living? What is written on Uncle Sam's most famous portrait?




The Pledge of Allegiance
by Red Skelton
January 14, 1969

“When I was a small boy in Vincennes, Indiana, I heard, I think, one of the most outstanding speeches I ever heard in my life. I think it compares with the Sermon on the Mount, Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, and Socrates’ Speech to the Students.

We had just finished reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, and he called us all together, and he says, “Uh, boys and girls, I have been listening to you recite the Pledge of Allegiance all semester, and it seems that it has become monotonous to you. Or, could it be, you do not understand the meaning of each word? If I may, I would like to recite the pledge, and give you a definition for each word:

I

Me; an individual; a committee of one.

Pledge

Dedicate all of my worldly goods to give without self-pity.

Allegiance

My love and my devotion.

To the Flag

Our standard. “Old Glory”; a symbol of courage. And wherever she waves, there is respect, because your loyalty has given her a dignity that shouts “Freedom is everybody's job”.

of the United

That means that we have all come together.

States

Individual communities that have united into forty-eight great states. Forty-eight individual communities with pride and dignity and purpose. All divided by imaginary boundaries, yet united to a common cause, and that’s love of country, of America.

And to the Republic

A Republic: a sovereign state in which power is invested into the representatives chosen by the people to govern. And the government is the people; and it's from the people to the leaders, not from the leaders to the people.

For which it stands

One Nation

Meaning so blessed by God.

Indivisible

Incapable of being divided.

With Liberty

Which is Freedom.The right of power for one to live his own life without fears, threats, or any sort of retaliation.

And Justice

The principle and qualities of dealing fairly with others.

For All

For All. That means, boys and girls, it's as much your country as it is mine.”

Now let me hear you recite the Pledge of Allegiance:

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.

Since I was a small boy, two states have been added to our country, and two words have been added to the Pledge of Allegiance: Under God. Wouldn't it be a pity if someone said that is a prayer, and that be eliminated from our schools, too?”









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