HOME / recycled: Previously published Slate articles made new.

Pledging AllegianceWhere does "under God" come from?

Posted Thursday, March 25, 2004, at 1:32 PM ET

Yesterday, the Supreme Court heard oral argument in Elk Grove United School District v. Newdow. Michael A. Newdow, the atheist who filed the suit, argued that inclusion of the phrase "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance violates the First Amendment, which requires the separation of church and state. In this "History Lesson," David Greenberg explained why communism, the Cold War, and an obscure sermon caused Congress to add the phrase to the pledge in 1954.

Print This ArticlePRINTEmail to a FriendE-MAILShare This ArticleRECOMMEND...Get Slate RSS FeedsRSS
What did you think of this article?
Join The Fray: Our Reader Discussion Forum
POST A MESSAGE | READ MESSAGES
TODAY'S PICTURES
TODAY'S CARTOONS
TODAY'S DOONESBURY
TODAY'S VIDEO
The smog of China.59/091210_TP.jpg
Cartoonists' take on health care.73/091210_TC.jpg
Tiger tanks.74/091210_TD.jpg