VINCENNES, Ind. – The Red Skelton Museum of American Comedy will attempt to set a world record for the most people reciting the Pledge of Allegiance at the same time on June 16 at 2 p.m.

The event will take place at the Red Skelton Performing Arts Center located adjacent to the Red Skelton Museum of American Comedy on the Vincennes University campus.

“We’re confident we’ll set the record since we are the first to attempt this, but we want to attract a large crowd so we can hold the record well into the future,” said Anne Pratt, executive director of the Skelton Museum.

The record-setting event is part of the Skelton Museum’s 50th anniversary celebration of Red Skelton’s 1969 national television broadcast when he explained the meaning of each part of the Pledge of Allegiance. Skelton said he learned its meaning from an elementary school teacher in his hometown of Vincennes.

“The year 1969 was a turbulent time when there were street protests and flag burnings throughout the country,” Pratt said. “Red thought it was important to remind people of the importance of the pledge and our responsibilities as citizens.”

Skelton’s explanation of the Pledge of Allegiance touched Americans and CBS-TV received many requests for copies of it soon after the broadcast. He was asked to perform the Pledge at many of his concerts and patriotic events from 1969 through the nation’s 1976 bicentennial.

“Given Red’s long-standing defense of it, what better place could there be to set the record for reciting the Pledge of Allegiance than the museum and performing arts center that bear his name,” Pratt said.

The event will include representatives from the American Legion, Forty et Eight, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, who will discuss flag etiquette.

A video of Skelton’s Pledge will show during the program, then the public will stand and say the Pledge of Allegiance.

This is a record-setting event and due to that each person is required to register so there is an accurate count for the official record. Participants will receive a commemorative sticker that will provide access to the Skelton Museum on the day of the program.

Register online at www.redskeltonmuseum.org.

“This is a chance to be a part of history, help set a world’s record, and demonstrate the same love of country that Red Skelton showed throughout his long career in radio, television and movies,” Pratt said. “Vincennes is so proud to be his hometown and this is one way we can honor him.”

The Red Skelton Museum of American Comedy and Red Skelton Performing Arts Center are located at 20 W. Red Skelton Blvd.

ABOUT RED SKELTON AND RED SKELTON MUSEUM OF AMERICAN COMEDY

Vincennes native Red Skelton is an internationally recognized entertainer whose talents included comedy, pantomime, painting, composing, and writing. Rising to the heights of popularity in television, radio, and motion pictures, Skelton earned the admiration of millions of fans, including the Indiana Legislature that backed the construction of the $17 million Red Skelton Performing Arts Center at Vincennes University. Adjoining the Center is the Red Skelton Museum of American Comedy, a fully interactive museum that explores American comedy in the context of Red’s life and comedic genius, showcasing it in a variety of formats. The Red Skelton Show was a top-rated television program 1951-1971, earning Skelton three Emmy awards and the 1986 Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Governor’s Award for lifetime achievement.

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Vincennes University Newsroom

MARCIA MARTINEZ, University Life Reporter & Sports Information Director
   812-888-4164 office, 314-599-1519 cell, VUNews@vinu.edu, mmartinez@vinu.edu
VINCENNES UNIVERSITY, Department of University Relations, www.vinu.edu/news/newsroom