Socialism Meets The Pledge Of Allegiance + Sneaky Fox Snacks

ACROSS AMERICA — So who exactly wrote some of the most patriotic verses in American history? A socialist from Malden, Massachusetts.

The famous words of The Pledge of Allegiance are usually attributed to James B. Upham, a 19th century publisher who hailed from Melrose, Massachusetts. However, when a Patch reader in Colorado left a comment on a story claiming the pledge was written not by Upham but by Upham's partner, Francis Bellamy, Patch’s Dave Copeland set out to investigate.

Turns out the reader from Colorado was right, Copeland writes.

While Upham had a role in popularizing the pledge, it was actually written by Bellamy, who lived in Upham’s home at the time. Bellamy was an American Christian socialist minister and author from New York who originally wanted to use "equality and fraternity" instead of "liberty and justice." Yet he backed down, fearing the words would prevent the pledge from gaining widespread adoption. Read the story on Boston Patch

Devastation Search Continues

First responders are still working around the clock at the site of a 12-story condo that collapsed in Surfside, Florida, early Thursday morning, digging through debris and searching for victims. As of Friday morning, four deaths have been confirmed after three bodies were found in the rubble of the oceanfront Champlain Towers South Condo. Read the story on Miami Patch

More Reads

Voting Lawsuit Filed: The U.S. Department of Justice will file a lawsuit against Georgia over its new voting law, alleging that the state's new election provisions discriminate against voters of color, via Atlanta Patch

Mistrial Denied: A Minnesota judge on Friday denied Derek Chauvin's request for a mistrial and ruled that he will not hold a hearing for jury misconduct, via Southwest Minneapolis Patch

Sneaky Fox Snacks: A fox sneakily gobbled up some cat treats in broad daylight early Friday morning, and Popeye the cat definitely won’t be happy about it, via Fairfax City Patch

22 Must-Tries: Want to help "dispel ethnic untruths" while enjoying some of the finest African American, African and Caribbean cuisine in New Jersey? You probably won't have to travel far, via West Orange Patch

Beauty Of Nature: Renowned Colorado landscape photographer Lazar Gintchin is here to remind us that there's more to capturing beauty than simply tapping a button, via Denver Patch

Tiger Encounter: The Kane County Fair in Illinois is advertising an encounter with a Bengal tiger in this year's fair attractions. Some residents aren’t pleased, via St. Charles Patch

Newsom Recalled: It’s official — California Gov. Gavin Newsom will face a recall election sometime in the late summer or early fall, via Across California Patch

House Porn: If you’re eyeing a move to Maryland, find your next dream home in one of these dazzling homes. One comes with its own waterfall, while the others boast elevators, geothermal heat, and a gazebo.

"My family and I have been given a life sentence. We will never get George back."

— Philonise Floyd, brother of George Floyd, during Derek Chauvin’s sentencing

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