Good morning. Today is the 362nd day of the year. On this day in 1945, the Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. flag was officially recognized by Congress. The pledge was composed in 1892 by Francis Bellamy, a Baptist minister. In 1954 the Knights of Columbus persuaded Congress to add the words “Under God� to the pledge. Well-known people who were born today include golfer Hubie Green, actor Lou Jacobi, actress Maggie Smith (The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, California Suite), actor Denzel Washington (Malcolm X, Training Day, Glory) and singer-musician Edgar Winters.

While few events are scheduled between Christmas and New Year’s, several ongoing exhibits can be seen at local institutions. The Brooklyn Historical Society at 128 Pierrepont St. is hosting “Pages of the Past: The Breukelen Adventures of Japser Danckaerts.� … The Transit Museum at the corner of Boerum Place and Schermerhorn Street is hosting an exhibit of photos by Theresa King on “The Last Day of the Myrtle Avenue El.� … St. Ann’s Warehouse at 38 Water St. is presenting a joint theater-film production of Brief Encounters, an adaptation of Noel Coward’s 1946 film of the same name.

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