Sunday, May 10, 2015

United States Oath of Allegiance

The United States Oath of Allegiance is the oath that must be taken by all immigrants who wish to become United States citizens. An Oath of Allegiance has been used since the late 1700s, and has taken various forms over the years. The current Oath of Allegiance, presented below, was standardized in 1929, and updated in 1950 and again in 1952. It has remained unchanged since 1952.

The phrase "so help me God" is optional, and the words "on Oath" may be substituted with "and solemnly affirm" according to the religious beliefs of the individual taking the Oath of Allegiance.

United States Oath of Allegiance

I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God.

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Friday, May 1, 2015

Washington's Second Inaugural Address

Delivered on March 4, 1793, from the Senate Chamber of Congress Hall in Philadelphia, George Washington's Second Inaugural Address remains the shortest inaugural address ever given. 

Fellow Citizens:

I am again called upon by the voice of my country to execute the functions of its Chief Magistrate. When the occasion proper for it shall arrive, I shall endeavor to express the high sense I entertain of this distinguished honor, and of the confidence which has been reposed in me by the people of united America.

Previous to the execution of any official act of the President the Constitution requires an oath of office. This oath I am now about to take, and in your presence: That if it shall be found during my administration of the Government I have in any instance violated willingly or knowingly the injunctions thereof, I may (besides incurring constitutional punishment) be subject to the upbraidings of all who are now witnesses of the present solemn ceremony.

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