6. Americans were more pious in the 1950s
From 1892, when it was written by Francis Bellamy, a Baptist minister, the Pledge of Allegiance read, “I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all”. It remained in that simple form until 1923 when “my flag” changed to “the flag of the United States of America”. That was the version recited by American school children, the Congress, and any others during the early 1950s. During the decade, arguments and fears of “godless communism” were rife in the United States. These arguments prompted several organizations to urge their members to add a reference to God in the text of the pledge. Among them were the Catholic Knights of Columbus, the Sons of the American Revolution, and Washington DC’s New York Avenue Presbyterian Church. Among the attendees of that church was President Eisenhower.
Ike supported the idea and had Congressman Charles Oakman of Michigan introduce a bill adding the words “under God” to the pledge in February 1954. The bill, which amended the Flag Code of 1942, passed and Ike signed the bill into law on Flag Day, June 14, 1954. In 1956, also with Eisenhower’s urging and support, Congress passed a law adopting “In God We Trust” as the official motto of the United States, replacing “E Pluribus Unum”, which had served in that role for nearly two centuries, though never officially. The new law mandated the motto’s appearance on American paper money in 1957. The two events suggest Americans in the 1950s were more pious than today, though polls indicate otherwise. The phrase “In God We Trust” has increased in popularity since the 1950s, rather than decreasing, reaching an approval rating of over 90% in the 21st century.
