A lesson exploring the Pledge of Allegiance, its history, and the addition of the phrase "under God," can serve as a jumping off point into major themes of U.S. history and First Amendment freedoms. Although the Pledge is ubiquitous in contemporary America, educators and students are often uninformed about the history and meaning of the brief document. To thoughtfully enter the discussion of American heritage and policy, students must learn "how to do history," which involves "researching, interviewing, critical reading, winnowing fact from opinion, and coming to conclusions based on evidence." The Pledge's own "biography" is interwoven with major themes of U.S. history, such as immigration and naturalization, war and peace, and First Amendment freedoms. The two-word phrase "under God" certainly adds to the colorful history, energizing a discussion that will be continued by generations of Americans who strive to convey "who we are" and "what we believe." The article includes three handouts: (1) "Pledge of Allegiance TIMELINE"; (2) "Should the Pledge Include the Phrase "under God"?; and (3) "Pass the Flag: An Exercise in Civic Discourse."