By James Breig Fifty years ago, at 1:48 p.m. on an autumn Friday, the American flag atop the White House was lowered to half-staff, where it would remain for a month. Millions of Americans can tell you why – and precisely where they were around noon that day: Nov. 22, 1963. It was a Friday of… continue
By James Breig Seven score and ten years have rolled by since Nov. 19, 1863, when the most famous speech in American history was delivered by President Abraham Lincoln in Gettysburg, Pa. Pressed in by a crowd eager to hear his remarks and surrounded by flapping flags, the Great Emancipator intoned the immortal words: “Four score… continue
By James Breig On Nov. 11, 1918, the citizens of Anaconda, Montana, held an impromptu parade. Among the prominent participants was William Tell Moore, a black constable. Carrying a large American flag, he led a delegation of black citizens “in a manner that personified dignity and patriotism,” said a newspaper. The occasion was the first Armistice Day,… continue
By James Breig John Philip Sousa, the composer, was dubbed “The March King” for his many flag-related and patriotic melodies. So maybe E.T. Paull should be nicknamed “The March Prince.” Now long forgotten, Paull was a major figure in music in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Recently, Bill Edwards wrote a book about… continue
When war breaks out, former friends can become enemies, and one-time foes might turn into allies. As a result, once-hated flags get saluted and formerly beloved banners are banished. That was certainly true when World War I began nearly 100 years ago, as demonstrated in patriotic postcards of the period. For example, a French postcard… continue