The Pledge of Allegiance started as a PR campaign for a youth magazine in 1892 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ arrival on American shores. It was written by an ordained minister, Francis Bellamy, but didn’t include the word God, or even “United States of America.” The magazine distributed flags to schools for a pledge day on Oct. 21, 1892. It caught fire, eventually becoming common not only in classrooms but at official state and local government sessions. State legislatures soon began making laws to encourage its use in schools. Recitation of the pledge has been challenged in court, with the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in 1943 it could not be mandatory for any individual. As a result, many states have spelled out processes for opting out of saying the pledge, such as having a note from a parent, or simply standing quietly. Sources: The Man Who Wrote the Pledge of Allegiance, 5 facts about the Pledge of Allegiance.