Pledge of Allegiance Day is observed in the United States every December 28 to celebrate the Pledge of Allegiance, a patriotic verse that expresses allegiance to the flag and the country. The Pledge has its origins in the late 19th century, with the first version created by Captain George T. Balch in 1887, aimed at teaching patriotism to public school students. The current version was written by Francis Bellamy and first published in 1892. The Pledge has undergone four amendments, the last of which in 1954 added the phrase "under God." On December 28, 1945, the United States Congress officially recognized the Pledge, which is regularly recited in public schools and at government meetings. Although not a federal observance, Pledge of Allegiance Day is celebrated by patriots across the nation, who may recite the Pledge with family, learn about its history, or share their observance on social media using the hashtag #PledgeOfAllegianceDay.