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One Nation Indivisible

by Curtis Wiggins


Monday is Memorial Day, the day we honor the men and women who gave their lives in service to their country. This holiday began as a remembrance of the soldiers lost in the Civil War, and has since expanded to honor those who paid the ultimate price in the subsequent wars, and simultaneously devolved into a nationwide barbecue celebrating the coming of summer.

It is interesting the aspects of today's culture that have their roots in the Civil War. One of these is the Pledge of Allegiance. A great deal is made from time to time about the phrase "under God" in the pledge, but what many people don't know is that the phrase "under God" was a much later addition to the pledge that significantly subverts it's original and intended meaning.

The key phrase in the pledge, as originally written, was "one nation indivisible". The pledge was created as a response to the Civil War. It was meant to be a promise that we are, and will forever be, a unified nation. That we would never again fracture or splinter, that we would never again take up arms against our own. The pledge was meant to be a solemn vow of unity that fully transends the hollow "under God" alteration brought on by Eisenhower-era anti-communist hysteria.

It is sad that this original message has been lost. As a country we have become more divisive than ever. We could use the occasional subtle reminder that we are meant to be "one nation indivisible", that we have all pledged ourselves to the same thing. Those who are so caught up in the polarization between liberal and conservative, Republican and Democrat, red state versus blue state, they would do well to take a moment to remember the original purpose and meaning behind Memorial Day, and our Pledge of Allegiance.


I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America,
and to the republic for which it stands,
one nation indivisible,
with liberty and justice for all.


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Thank you for sharing this reflection. The evolution of the Pledge of Allegiance and its role in American culture is indeed a fascinating subject. The addition of “under God” in 1954 during the Eisenhower administration did alter the original phrasing and emphasis of the pledge. The original intent, as you mentioned, was to emphasize the unity and indivisibility of the nation, especially in the aftermath of the Civil War.

Memorial Day serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by service members throughout America’s history. It’s a day for reflection on the values of unity and service that are foundational to the nation’s identity. Your message underscores the importance of remembering these values and the original spirit of both Memorial Day and the Pledge of Allegiance, especially in times of division.

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