The Pledge of Allegiance was published and written by American Socialist Francis Bellamy in 1892, on the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus sailing to America. When it was first published it was written as;

“I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

In 1923, the words, “the Flag of the United States of America” were added to it.  They did not add “under God” until 1954 by President Eisenhower  making the pledge we say today. This last phrase was in contrast to what Americans viewed as the “Godless” anti-religion Communist dictatorships of the Cold War era.

The pledge begins with the right hand over the heart, and after reciting “to the Flag,” the arm was extended toward the Flag, palm-down.  In World War II, the pledges salute resembled the Nazi salute, so it was then changed to keep the right hand over the heart throughout the whole pledge.

We  still hold our right hands over our hearts throughout the Pledge of Allegiance while we stand and look at the American Flag. We say the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of our school days or at sporting events.  We have a constitutional right not to be made or forced to stand or participate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Students in schools shouldn’t feel obligated to participate in saying the pledge and shouldn’t be singled out or told they must stand because it may be against their religion.

http://www.ushistory.org/documents/pledge.htm

http://ffrf.org/outreach/item/14030-pledge-of-allegiance

Below are two opposing views on the Pledge of Allegiance- the first is in favor of it as a sign of patriotism.

The second video speaks about it as a form of Socialist Nationalism.