Arlington National Cemetery
| Arlington National Cemetery | |
|---|---|
| The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery |
Arlington National Cemetery is a United States military cemetery located in Arlington, Virginia, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C.. It is the final resting place for over 400,000 military veterans, active-duty service members, and their families.
The site is one of the most sacred spaces of national memory and honor in the United States.
History
- Established during the American Civil War in 1864
- Built on the estate of Robert E. Lee, which had been confiscated by the Union
- The first military burial took place on May 13, 1864
Notable Features
- Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
- Honors unidentified soldiers from World Wars I & II, Korea, and (formerly) Vietnam - Guarded 24/7 by the elite **Sentinels of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (“The Old Guard”)
- John F. Kennedy Eternal Flame
- Final resting place of President John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
- Memorials for Space Shuttle Challenger and Columbia
- Sections honoring Medal of Honor recipients, military nurses, and various war heroes
Layout and Scope
- Covers over 600 acres
- Divided into 70+ sections
- Includes memorials for every major American conflict
Eligibility for Burial
- Active duty and retired members of the U.S. Armed Forces
- Certain high-ranking government officials
- Spouses and eligible dependents
- Burial at Arlington requires meeting strict criteria due to limited space
Ceremonies and Traditions
- Daily changing of the guard ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
- Annual Memorial Day observances
- Wreaths Across America event each December, placing wreaths on every grave
Fun Facts
- Over 25 burials take place at Arlington every weekday
- The cemetery overlooks the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and U.S. Capitol
- More than 4 million people visit annually