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Came across this pic courtesy of Steve from Bayshore’s O&A show rundowns. Steve claimed that this was the way American kids said the Pledge of Allegiance until World War II took all of the fun out of cool mustaches and raising your arm. A quick scan of wikipedia backed up his claim;

Before World War II, the Pledge would begin with the right hand over the heart during the phrase “I pledge allegiance”. The arm was then extended toward the Flag at the phrase “to the Flag”, and it remained outstretched during the rest of the pledge, with the palm facing upward, as if to lift the flag.

An early version of the salute, adopted in 1892, was known as the Bellamy salute. It also ended with the arm outstretched and the palm upwards, but began with the right hand outstretched, palm facing downward. However, during World War II the outstretched arm became identified with Nazism and Fascism, and the custom was changed: today the Pledge is said from beginning to end with the right hand over the heart.

Useless facts will always have a home at the ol’ fj.