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

Maryland’s crowded flag

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By James Breig On April 28, 1788 – 225 years ago – Maryland became the seventh united state. It came into the union with a unique history that would evolve into a cluttered flag. Charles I of Great Britain granted Maryland’s charter in 1632 and assigned it to Lord Baltimore (Cecilius Calvert). The king’s command… continue

History Lessons

Woman hoists stadium flag

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Ebbets Stadium flag-raising in 1913 (Photo from Library of Congress)

By James Breig Baseball and flags have had a long relationship – and not just through the singing of “Oh, Say, Can You See” before every game. After all, what are the pro teams chasing throughout their 162-game season? They’re after a pennant! Fans follow the pennant races throughout the spring and summer, but we… continue

History Lessons

New president, new flag

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General Post Office Building in Washington

By James Breig In three months, Americans will mark the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg during the Civil War. A few months later, the sesquicentennial of the Gettysburg Address will be noted. Those two occasions have led to recent postings here about Abraham Lincoln and flags. Those stories focused on his 1861 rail… continue

History Lessons

Lincoln raises new flag

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A sketch of the flag-raising from Harper's Weekly

By James Breig As America marches toward the 150th anniversaries of the Battle of Gettysburg (in July) and the Gettysburg Address (in November), this space has begun sharing some stories about Abraham Lincoln and the U.S. flag. Last week, some of his flag-related speeches from 1861, while he was on his way to his first… continue

History Lessons

Flags and Abraham Lincoln

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By James Breig This year marks the midway point in recalling significant – and flag-related — anniversaries in American military history: the continuing bicentennial of the War of 1812, during which “The Star-Spangled Banner” was written, and the ongoing 70th anniversary of World War II, including the raising of the U.S. flag on Iwo Jima…. continue