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— Photo from the Library of Congress

The Pledge of Allegiance dates back to the 1880s, when it was written to teach immigrant children about national loyalty. It has been revised several times. During World War II Congress altered the form of the pledge’s accompanying salute. Uncomfortably resembling the Nazi salute, Congress changed it to placing the right hand over the heart. At the conclusion of the war in 1945, Congress officially recognized the Pledge of Allegiance.