The original pledge was published in the Sept. 8, 1892, issue of The Youth's Companion in Boston. For years, the authorship was in dispute between James B. Upham and Francis Bellamy of the magazine's staff. In 1939, after a study of the controversy, the United States Flag Association decided that authorship be credited to Bellamy.

The phrase “under God” was added to the pledge on June 14, 1954.

I pledge allegiance to the Flag
of the United States of America,
and to the Republic for which it stands,
one Nation under God indivisible,
with liberty and justice for all.