when was under god added to the pledge of allegiance

The words "under God" were added to the Pledge of Allegiance on Flag Day, June 14, 1954. This change was made by a Joint Resolution of Congress and signed into law by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. The addition was motivated during the Cold War era to distinguish the United States from the atheistic communist countries and to emphasize the spiritual foundation of the nation. Prior to this, the phrase was not part of the original pledge written in 1892. The precise event leading to the change was a sermon delivered on February 7, 1954, by Pastor George MacPherson Docherty, which inspired President Eisenhower to act quickly on the amendment.