The Pledge
Formal spoken promise
The Pledge of Allegiance to the United States flag, a patriotic oath recited in schools and at public events: We stood for the Pledge.
The full text begins "I pledge allegiance to the flag..." and was written in 1892, with "under God" added in 1954.
In American contexts, the Pledge needs no further specification.
- oathFormal binding promise
- sworn oathFormal binding promise
- vowSolemn personal commitment
- solemn vowGrave, binding promise
- promiseCommitment to act
pinky promise · I do · allegiance · commitment · swear · loyalty · dedication · devotion · flag · hand over heart · patriotism · honor · scout's honor · solemn · binding · word · guarantee · covenant
- Schiller WorksWilliam Tell, Mary Stuart, Ode to Joy, Demetrius, Turandot
The Pledgeflag burning
Destroying national emblem by fire
draft card burning · taking a knee · treason · conscientious objection · civil disobedience
The Pledgefree expression
Unrestrained communication of ideas
silent protest · opt-out · free choice · dissent · abstention
The Pledgerenunciation
Formal surrender of claim
abjuration · recantation · disavowal · retraction · apostasy