Today’s Trivia

"I pledge allegiance to my Flag. And to the Republic

For which it stands

One Nation indivisible:

With Liberty and Justice for all."

- Frank E. Bellamy, 1892

Who wrote the Pledge of Allegiance?

More than a century after the Pledge of Allegiance was first published, there is an ongoing controversy over who the original author was.

Kansan Frank Bellamy was 15 when he entered the Pledge of Allegiance contest sponsored by a popular youth magazine of the day.

The Cherryvale High School student won first place in the Youth’s Companion magazine contest, designed to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Columbus’ discovery of America.

But others believe it may have been a New York man with a similar name, Francis Bellamy, an editor of the magazine contest, who coined the pledge.

For decades, historians believed the author was the New York Bellamy. In recent decades, enough evidence has come forward about the Kansas Bellamy that the Library of Congress now leaves open the question of authorship.

In 1892, the Youth’s Companion launched a national campaign to have an American flag in every schoolhouse in the nation.

Magazine officials wanted schoolchildren nationwide to recite a vow of loyalty to their country.

Bellamy’s 23-word pledge was selected as one of the top entries. But his words were the same as those later credited to Francis Bellamy, who wasn’t related to Frank.

The Kansas Bellamy received a check for $25 and a badge dated Oct. 21, 1892, with the words: "National Public School Celebration, Columbus Day Oct. 21, 1492-1892."

Question: What other Kansan had an impact on impact on the Pledge of Allegiance and added the words “under God” to the pledge?

Beccy Tanner

Post your answer today at Kansas.com/Kansas150 for a chance to win this month’s prize.

Answer to Thursday’s question: In 2008, at the Dockum Drugs store sit-in’s 50th anniversary, Wichita city officials offered the nine people, including Dr. Ronald Waters, who had taken part in the sit-in, keys to the city and an apology.   

Check back in this spot Saturday for the answer to today’s question.

This story was originally published November 18, 2011 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Today’s Trivia."