I was watching Spielberg's Lincoln a few days ago, and noticed a scene where the actor playing William Seward placed his hand over his heart in the flag salute which is familiar to us today.
Now, I understood that this form of compliment only came into use comparatively recently,viz. 1942 Flag Code and was only used when reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. AFAIK it replaced the previous "Bellamy Salute" which was abandoned at the beginning of America's active involvement in WW2, being almost identical to the Fascist/Nazi salute. President Obama explained his failure to salute the flag and anthem in this way as recently as 2007/8 by stating that he had been taught only to give the heart salute when reciting the Pledge.
Was the film scene incorrect ?
Now, I understood that this form of compliment only came into use comparatively recently,viz. 1942 Flag Code and was only used when reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. AFAIK it replaced the previous "Bellamy Salute" which was abandoned at the beginning of America's active involvement in WW2, being almost identical to the Fascist/Nazi salute. President Obama explained his failure to salute the flag and anthem in this way as recently as 2007/8 by stating that he had been taught only to give the heart salute when reciting the Pledge.
Was the film scene incorrect ?
Bringing the