Tag: Arlington National Cemetery

On This Day, Video

Daily Video for June 15 – Arlington National Cemetery Established

Posted on by NJBiblio

TODAY IN HISTORY…

Arlington National Cemetery Formally Established

On June 15, 1864, US Secretary of War, Edwin M. Stanton officially sets aside 200 acres of land on the captures Custis-Lee Estate to establish a military cemetery for fallen Union soldiers.  The land and the home was the former residence of Confederate General Robert E. Lee whose wife, Mary Anna Custis Lee (great-granddaughter of Martha Washington) inherited the house from her father who had it built in 1802.

Prior to its establishment as a cemetery, the grounds at Arlington, having been seized by Union forces early in the conflict (May 1861), had been used for the defense of Washington and as a Freedman’s village with homes for what eventually numbered over 3,000 slaves freed during the war.

Today the house and grounds are part of a larger 624 acre cemetery complex, with further expansions possible and is maintained by the US Department of the Army.

Arlington National Cemetery

History of Arlington National Cemetery

 

Tours of Famous Graves at Arlington National Cemetery

 

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers

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Blog

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!

Posted on by NJBiblio

HISTORY OF MEMORIAL DAY

Today we take a break for our regularly scheduled posts to observe Memorial Day.

Here’s a short video on the history of this holiday honoring those who have fallen in service to the country.  Please make sure you celebrate safely and responsible and never for get those who sacrificed all for us.

 

 

Also, one of the most solemn ceremonies in the US — the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery:

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