U.S. and the Bellamy salute - An American Invention.

Above: A group of schoolchildren performing the Bellamy salute, May 1942
 

The U.S. and the Bellamy salute

      . . . The Bellamy salute was first demonstrated on October 12, 1892 according to Bellamy's published instructions for the "National School Celebration of Columbus Day." Pupil, in ordered ranks, hands to the side, faced the Flag; a signal was then given and every pupil gave the flag the military salute -- right hand lifted, palm downward, in line with the forehead and close to it. Standing thus, all repeat together, slowly, the pledge allegiance to the Flag and Republic.
            The initial civilian salute was replaced with a hand-on-heart gesture, but again followed by the extension of the arm as described earlier by Bellamy.
             In the 1920s, Italian fascists adopted the Roman salute to symbolize their claim to have revitalized Italy on the model of ancient Rome. This symbol of the raised right arm was quickly copied by the German Nazis . . . >> READ MORE           
                       

>> In part, quoted passages for this article came from Wikipedia, and the Washington Post.