Author: James Breig

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Bio
James Breig is a veteran author who specializes in history. His most recent book is “Star-Spangled Baseball: True Tales of Flags and Fields” about the links between the sport and flags. He is also the author of a nonfiction book about WWII, "Searching for Sgt. Bailey: Saluting an Ordinary Soldier of World War II" and co-author of "The Mystery of the Multiple Mothers," a novel. All three are available at www.amazon.com. His articles have appeared in newspapers and national magazines, including the Colonial Williamsburg Journal (search for them at www.history.org/journal) and History Magazine. He has won many national awards for his opinion writing, media columns and feature articles.
History Lessons

Belatedly, Old Glory rises

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In late January 1946, the people of Town Line, New York, raised an American flag to mark the end of the war. But they weren’t noting the conclusion of World War II six months earlier. They were observing the end of the Civil War in 1865. Located near Buffalo, Town Line assembled 113 of its… continue

History Lessons

Recalling flag hero of Civil War

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The week that marks the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. and the upcoming observance of Black History Month in February are appropriate times to recall the heroism of Sgt. William H. Carney, a remarkable protector of the U.S. flag during the Civil War. Born into slavery in Virginia, Carney grew up to travel the… continue

History Lessons

Copperhead and the flag

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The 150th anniversaries of the Battle of Gettysburg and the Gettysburg Address have passed, and their flags have been folded. But the observance of the sesquicentennial of the Civil War continues in 2014. With more than a year to go before peace would arrive, 1864 dawned with more battles and more division. Gov. Horatio Seymour… continue

History Lessons

Waitman Willey salutes flag

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In 1861, as talk of secession escalated before Fort Sumter, Bull Run and Gettysburg, southerners had to make a decision about the U.S. flag. Would they continue to honor it as a symbol of their unity, or would they toss it to the ground in order to raise a Confederate banner? In Virginia, one of… continue

History Lessons

Which anthem is national?

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The arrival of 2014 brings the bicentennial of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” The words were written by Francis Scott Key in September 1814. As the specific date draws nearer, more and more attention will be focused on the song. It took a long time to officially designate it as the official National Anthem. That didn’t happen… continue