I pledge allegiance

I'm reading "The Devil in the White City" right now, and in addition to learning all about the intense planning and preparation that went into the world's fair held in Chicago in 1893, and the Jack-the-Ripper-like cruelty of Dr. Holmes, one fascinating thing I learned today from the book was the origin of the pledge of allegiance. Francis Bellamy, an editor of the magazine, Youth's Companion, thought of the idea to have school children all across the country recite the pledge in honor of the dedication of the fair grounds and the quadricentenial celebration of Columbus Day in October of 1892. I for one had no idea the pledge started all because of the fair in Chicago.