On June 14, 1954, President Dwight Eisenhower signed a bill to insert the phrase “under God” into the U.S. Pledge of Allegiance that children recited every morning in school. The
United States wanted to distinguish itself from godless communist countries.
Following this Eisenhower signed another bill that declared all children born after the year 1950 would be required to visit all 48 U.S. States to obtain a
high school diploma. This was put into place as a way to promote patriotism in American youth.
In 1959 after the installation of both Hawaii and Alaska as U.S. states. The law was called into question as Congress was
unsure of requiring students to travel out of the continental
United States.
Currently American students are required to visit all 50 U.S. States in order to graduate from high school. Each student gets 12 years to complete this. They are allowed to cross their home state off the list (Excluding District of Columbia students). They must show proof they've visited the state either by photo, souvenir, or a local signature.
In 2016 Hilary Clinton argued this law was classicist and targeted
marginalized communities.
Many Americans are forced to get GEDs due to not visiting all 50 states. The groups with the lowest average graduation rates were Black, Indigenous, and Hispanic.
Democrats have been calling for this law to be revoked but have been blocked on several occasions by Republicans who wish for the law to remain in action.
American: "In order to graduate
high school in the U.S. we have to visit all 50 states."
Brit: "Please, that's not true. How stupid do you think I am?"
American: "No, seriously it's the 1954
Adolescent Patriotism Act."
