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Francis Bellamy faced a deadline. Copy for a flag salute was needed to complete a program for children commemorating the 400th anniversary of Columbus's voyage to America. One night, after a dinner conferring with his boss at Youth's Companion magazine, Bellamy disappeared into his office for a while and re-emerged with 23 words: "I pledge allegiance to my Flag and to the Republic for which it stands -- one Nation indivisible -- with Liberty and Justice for all." Years later, the 23 would become 31, but that's jumping ahead.
That the pledge was written at the last minute for a special occasion is one twist in its saga. For an...