Honor the Texas Flag (It’s the Law!)
I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, one and indivisible.
ONE PLEDGE UNDER GOD
Seventeen states have pledges to their flags, but Texas does what Texas always does—goes bigger. It’s the only state that requires public school students to recite the state pledge daily, setting the Lone Star apart once again.
In 1933, the pledge was introduced into Texas public schools after the Legislature formally adopted it. Since 2003, state law has required schools to lead the pledge in the classroom each day, with both the United States and Texas flags prominently displayed.
Each morning, students begin their day standing and reciting the pledge with their hands over their hearts. Intended to remind them of their civic pride, they face the flags and recite the pledge in unison. This is followed by a moment of silence at which time the students may reflect or pray.
The Texas flag is the oldest, unchanged state flag in the United States. It was adopted as the Republic of Texas flag in 1839 and became the state flag when Texas became the 28th state in 1846.
Leave it to Texas to never miss a chance to promote its community spirit. Most recently, “Don’t Mess with Texas,” originally an anti-litter campaign, caught on as Texas’ iconic slogan.
“Friendship” is Texas’ official state motto. Adopted in 1930, it is derived from “Tejas, the Spanish pronunciation of the Caddo Indian word for “friends” or “allies.
Our state pledge was also originally intended to support local patriotism, but it’s had its share of diverse perspectives throughout the years.
17 Words That Ignite Passion
EXPELLED!
Inspired by the NFL players who began kneeling during the National Anthem in 2016, India Landry did what she had done 200 times before. The black high school senior refused to stand when the Pledge of Allegiance and the Texas Pledge started on the PA system. But on that day in 2017, the principal of Windfern High School, outside of Houston, told her “That’s it, you’re out of here!”
This sparked India to file a lawsuit. She sued the school district and principal, alleging her rights to free speech were violated. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton intervened, defending the state law requiring students to stand for the pledges unless excused in writing by a parent. The case was resolved through a confidential settlement and never went to trial.
OFFENDED!
In 2007, a North Texas couple filed a lawsuit on behalf of their three children who attended the Carrollton-Farmers Branch School District, citing that the phrase “under God” in the Texas Pledge violated the separation of church and state.
After the federal court in Dallas rejected the couple’s challenge to the wording, they appealed their case to the U.S. Court of Appeals. In 2010, the court found that both the Texas Pledge and the wording “under God” were constitutional.
VINDICATED!
In March 2022, a Texas student who refused to write the pledge as part of a classroom assignment won a $90,000 lawsuit against a teacher.
Today, the controversy has subsided. Texas is now one of four states, where students may opt out of reciting the pledge with a written request signed by a parent or legal guardian.
ATTENTION TO DETAIL
The 1933 pledge “Honor the Texas Flag of 1836; I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one and indivisible” incorrectly referred to the 1836 national flag, rather than the Lone Star flag. A bill to correct this error was introduced in 1951, but the legislature did not delete the words “of 1836” until 1965. The pledge was again amended in 2007, amending the wording to include “one state, under God.”
POP QUIZ
Test your knowledge about the Texas Pledge:
- Is it mandatory for public schools to lead the pledge daily?
- What state has the oldest, unchanged state flag in the United States?
- Are private school students required to stand and recite the pledge?
- Do most public schools in the United States provide the opportunity for students to recite the Pledge of Allegiance?
Answers: 1. Yes. It is Texas law. 2. Texas! 3. No. Recitation depends on individual school policy, since private school students are not bound by the First Amendment. 4. Yes; 47 states offer the voluntary option of the daily recitation.