Event date: June 17, 2026 Event Time: 10:30 AM - 11:59 PMLocation: 1501 W. Chautauqua StreetCarbondale, IL 62902Description:Fred will discuss the role of the Pledge of Allegiance in the history of immigration to America, review its textual history from 1887 to 1954, and conclude that in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance today, we are still expressing an aspiration and committing ourselves to strive to form “a more perfect Union,” as called for in the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution, by “We, the People of the United States.”Frederick Betz (Ph.D., Indiana University, 1973), is Professor Emeritus of German and former Chair of the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures (1999-2006). He has published widely in the areas of 19th and 20th century German and American literature and journalism.Krista will present the history of four important songs in American History: The Star-Spangled Banner, God Bless America, America, and Illinois. Each song will be sung at the end of the presentation. This 250th Anniversary Celebration, free and open to the public. A coffee and social hour begins at 9:30 am.