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

Half-staff and Citgo’s flag

Some people in Houston became upset when the headquarters of Citgo, located in the city, flew the U.S. flag at half-staff after the recent death of Hugo Chavez, president of Venezuela. Citgo is a Venezuelan-owned business. The company also lowered the Texas state flag and the Venezuelan banner. A news article about the outrage engendered… continue

History Lessons

Papal flag waves over airwaves

  By James Breig The historic resignation of Pope Benedict XVI and the election of his successor have focused the media spotlight not only on the Vatican, but also on the papal flag. A rare square flag,* it is split vertically in two, half yellow and half white. That’s a change from the original flag… continue

History Lessons

UN flag has worldview

By James Breig Hosted by Gettysburg Flag Works The flag of the United Nations has been very flexible since it was adopted in 1947. Two years later, it was unfurled – by the building’s project manager — atop the unfinished UN tower in New York City. Through the years, the flag’s map of the world has… continue

History Lessons

Wrapped in a flag

The expression “he wrapped himself in the flag” has a negative connotation that implies someone is using patriotism to disguise baser motives. In the 19th century, however, some people – most of them military figures — were literally wrapped in flags as part of their funeral ceremonies. In 1840, for instance, the last request of… continue

History Lessons

Familiar flag, unfamiliar name

By James Breig Hosted by Gettysburg Flag Works Every day in America, millions of people see the handiwork of Robert Heft. But they don’t know who he was or what he did that involved the U.S. flag. In naming people connected to the history of the flag, Heft should rank with Betsy Ross and Uncle Sam… continue