Why do Americans say the Pledge of Allegiance?

Americans say the Pledge of Allegiance to affirm their patriotism and show pride and respect for their country. Since 1892, the majority of school children have said the Pledge of Allegiance each morning in school.

As Americans began to lose the nationalism and love of country that was prevalent first in the development of the nation and then after the Civil War, it was decided that there needed to be a way of reinstalling this faith and unity in citizens. The flag was seized upon as the best idea, and since mandatory national education was relatively new, placing flags over schools and the Pledge of Allegiance to that flag were established as practices.