Former Arlington National Cemetery Historian and 1998 National Teacher of the Year, Philip Bigler, newest book details the unique and fascinating history of Arlington National Cemetery’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Published in conjunction with the Tomb’s Centennial (2021), this highly readable narrative history chronicles the Tomb from its inception to the present day.

Quicksburg, VA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 05/01/2019 --For one hundred years, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier has served as the nation's most cherished shrine to the country's fallen military soldiers. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier: A Century of Honor, 1921-2021, tells in detail this amazing story within the context of American history. Following a tradition established by the British and French, an American Unknown from the Great War was interred on the plaza of the Memorial Amphitheater on Armistice Day 1921. The hastily build, simple marble sarcophagus served as the nation's primary monument to the Unknown until the addition of the more elaborate and current die stone in 1932. In 1958, Unknowns from World War II and the Korean War were buried in separate crypts in front of the main monument. A Vietnam Unknown was designated and buried in 1984 but his body would be later disinterred an identified through the use of new DNA technology.

Professor Bigler spent two years conducting primary source research at the National Archives, the Commission of Fine Arts, the Eisenhower Library, the Library of Congress and other national repositories. His investigation has resulted in the most complete and well-documented history of the Tomb ever compiled and includes many newly discovered facts and fascinating details. The book includes comprehensive chapters on the selection of all of the American Unknowns as well as on the subsequent identification of the Vietnam Unknown as 1LT Michael Blassie (USAF). Likewise, there are detailed chapters on the construction and dedication of the Memorial Amphitheater as well as on the Tomb sentinels. The book also includes a complete, historical timeline, several informative appendices, extensive endnotes, and a comprehensive bibliography.

About Philip Bigler
Philip Bigler is the author of ten, top-selling books including In Honored Glory: Arlington National Cemetery, the Final Post; Scandalous Son: The Elusive Search for Dolley Madison's Son, John Payne Todd; Hostile Fire: The Life and Death of Lt. Sharon A. Lane; and Teaching History in an Uncivilized World. Widely recognized for his scholarship and innovative teaching methods, Bigler was named the 1998 National Teacher of the Year during a Rose Garden Cemetery hosted by President Bill Clinton. In 2001, he was appointed the director of the James Madison Center at James Madison University and served in this position until his retirement in 2010. He has served as an on-air historian on the History Channel and has been a featured guest on such programs at Nightline with Ted Koppel and Late Night with David Letterman. His has also appeared on CNN and Fox News Channel.

For additional information or to arrange an interview, please contact:

Philip Bigler
Apple Ridge Publishers
217 Bob White Lane
Quicksburg, Virginia 22847
Phone: 703.597.8523
email: info@appleridgepublishers.com
websites: http://www.tomb2021.com & http://www.appleridgepublishers.com
video: https://youtu.be/iSSPdA_ZVcI