The Roman salute is a closed finger, flat-palm-down hand raised at an angle
(usually 45 degrees) and was used by the Roman Republic.

It was also the historical civilian salute of the United States, from
1787?-1934?, known since 1892 as the Bellamy salute. It was also the
historical salute among armies of the Middle East and South America.

When the Nazi party of Germany adopted the Roman salute from the Italian
fascists, President Roosevelt instituted the hand over the heart as the salute
to be rendered by civilians during the Pledge of Allegiance and the National
Anthem in the United States. This was done when Congress officially adopted
the Flag Code on June 22, 1942.

The association with the Nazis was has been so strong that it is rarely used
by non-Nazis organizations since the end of World War II. One exception to
this is the Republic of China (on Taiwan), where the salute is still used when
an office holder is swearing an oath.


.. Where are all old movies describing time before 1934 where Americans
salute their flag with Roman salute like good ol' uncle Adolf.

\o/