Pledge of Allegiance and National Anthem: Second Grade Social Studies
The Pledge of Allegiance and "The Star-Spangled Banner" are sacred civic expressions of patriotism, loyalty, and unity shared by Americans across the nation.
Words and Music That Unite Americans
A large country like the United States is made up of millions of people living in different climates, speaking many languages at home, and working in countless occupations. To express their shared commitment to freedom and democracy, Americans recite a shared pledge and sing a national anthem.
What Is a Pledge?
A pledge is a serious, heartfelt promise. When you make a pledge, you give your word of honor that you will remain loyal, truthful, and supportive. The Pledge of Allegiance is a promise of loyalty to the American flag and the democratic republic it represents.
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| THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE (1892) |
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| "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." |
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Deconstructing the Meaning of the Pledge
To truly mean the words we say, we must understand what each phrase in the Pledge of Allegiance means.
Phrase-by-Phrase Breakdown
"I pledge allegiance" means: I promise my true loyalty and support. "To the Flag of the United States of America" means: to our national banner, which stands for all fifty states united together. "And to the Republic for which it stands" means: to our representative government, where citizens elect leaders to make laws rather than being ruled by a king. "One Nation under God, indivisible" means: a single, united country that cannot be torn apart or divided. "With liberty and justice for all" means: with freedom and fair, equal treatment guaranteed to every human being, without exception.
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| PHRASE | PLAIN MEANING |
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| Allegiance | Loyalty and devotion |
| Republic | Government where citizens elect reps |
| Indivisible | Cannot be split or broken apart |
| Liberty | Freedom to live and choose peacefully |
| Justice | Fairness and equal rights under law |
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Proper Etiquette When Reciting the Pledge
When reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, citizens stand up straight on two feet, face the American flag, remove all hats or non-religious head coverings, and place their right hand flat over their heart. Placing your hand over your heart symbolizes that your promise comes from deep within your feelings and conscience.
Our National Anthem: "The Star-Spangled Banner"
A national anthem is an official patriotic song chosen by a country to express national pride and honor its history. The American national anthem is "The Star-Spangled Banner."
"O say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming,
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through 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?"
The History of the Anthem: The Battle of Baltimore
In September 1814, during the War of 1812, British naval warships launched an intense twenty-five-hour bombardment against Fort McHenry, which guarded the harbor of Baltimore, Maryland. A young American lawyer and poet named Francis Scott Key watched the fierce attack from aboard a ship in the harbor.
Throughout the dark, smoky night, British rockets illuminated the sky with red glare. Key watched with anxiety, wondering if the American defenders would surrender. When the morning dawn broke through the gun smoke, Key saw an enormous American flag—fifteen stars and fifteen stripes—still flying proudly above the fort's ramparts. Overjoyed that Fort McHenry had held, Key immediately scribbled the opening verses of his poem on the back of a letter. His poem was later set to music and officially named the United States National Anthem in 1931.
Night Bombardment (Smoke & Fire) ====> Dawn Breaks (Flag Flies)
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v v
Will the fort surrender? Fort McHenry stood!
Song of triumph written
Respect During the Anthem
When the national anthem is performed at sporting events, school assemblies, or patriotic ceremonies, listeners stand quietly, face the flag (or the music performers if no flag is visible), remove hats, and place their right hands over their hearts until the final note finishes.
Exercises and Review
Exercise 1: Define what a republic is and explain what the phrase "with liberty and justice for all" means in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Exercise 1 Solution: A republic is a form of government where the people hold the power and elect representatives and leaders to make laws and govern fairly on their behalf, rather than living under a monarch or dictator. The phrase "with liberty and justice for all" means that every single person living in the country is entitled to personal freedom, equal protection under the law, and fair treatment, regardless of who they are.
Exercise 2: Describe the historical events that inspired Francis Scott Key to write the words of "The Star-Spangled Banner."
Exercise 2 Solution: During the War of 1812, Francis Scott Key watched British warships bombard Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland, all night long with cannons and rockets. In the morning, as the smoke cleared, Key saw that the massive American flag was still flying above the fort, proving that American troops had not surrendered. Filled with joy and relief, he wrote the poem that became our national anthem.