History of Arlington National Cemetery in Timeline
Arlington National Cemetery, the largest in the U.S. National Cemetery System, is maintained by the U.S. Army. Situated on 639 acres in Arlington County, Virginia, it serves as the final resting place for over 400,000 individuals. It holds significant historical importance as a national landmark and a tribute to those who have served the United States.
1900: Congress authorized Confederate section
In 1900, Congress authorized a Confederate section in Arlington National Cemetery.
1900: Departure of Freedmen's Village Residents
In 1900, the last remaining residents of Freedmen's Village departed after Congress appropriated $75,000 (equivalent to $2,834,700 in 2024) to settle the U.S. government's debts to them.
1901: Confederate soldiers reinterred in Confederate section
In 1901, Confederate soldiers were reinterred in a Confederate section that was authorized by Congress in 1900.
March 1913: Congress authorized the Arlington Memorial Amphitheater
On 4 March 1913, Congress authorized the construction of the Arlington Memorial Amphitheater.
June 1914: Confederate Memorial dedicated
On 4 June 1914, the United Daughters of the Confederacy dedicated the Confederate Memorial.
October 1915: Cornerstone laid for Arlington Memorial Amphitheater
On 15 October 1915, Woodrow Wilson laid the cornerstone for the Arlington Memorial Amphitheater.
1917: Moses Ezekiel buried at base of Confederate memorial
Upon his death in 1917, Moses Ezekiel, designer of the Confederate Memorial, was buried at the base of the monument.
November 1921: Remains of Unknown Soldier entombed
The remains of an unidentified American soldier from World War I were entombed on Armistice Day, 11 November 1921.
1921: Completion of Arlington Memorial Amphitheater
Before the Arlington Memorial Amphitheater was completed in 1921, important ceremonies were held at what is now known as the "Old Amphitheater".
November 1922: Commemorative stamp issued
A commemorative stamp was issued on 11 November 1922, the first anniversary of the first entombment picturing the Amphitheater.
June 1925: Commonwealth Cross of Sacrifice Approved
On June 25, 1925, President Calvin Coolidge approved the erection of a Commonwealth Cross of Sacrifice to honor U.S. citizens who died fighting in the Canadian forces during World War I.
November 1927: Commonwealth Cross of Sacrifice Dedicated
On November 11, 1927, the Commonwealth Cross of Sacrifice was dedicated, honoring U.S. citizens who died fighting in the Canadian forces during World War I.
May 1929: First National Memorial Day Ceremony
In May 1929, President Herbert Hoover conducted the first national Memorial Day ceremony in Arlington National Cemetery, establishing a tradition of honoring the nation's war dead.
1931: Marble sarcophagus covered original Tomb
In 1931, the original Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was covered by a more elaborate marble sarcophagus.
April 1932: Tomb of the Unknown Soldier opened to the public
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was completed and opened to the public 9 April 1932, at a cost of $48,000.
July 1937: Perpetual guard of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier began
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier has been perpetually guarded since 2 July 1937, by the U.S. Army.
1947: Privately purchased markers permitted
Between 1947 and 2001, privately purchased markers were permitted in the cemetery.
April 1948: 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment began guarding the Tomb
The 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment ("The Old Guard") began guarding the Tomb on 6 April 1948.
July 1948: Desegregation of Burial Practices
On July 26, 1948, President Harry S. Truman issued Executive Order 9981, which formally reversed segregated burial practices at Arlington Cemetery, reflecting broader efforts to promote equality.
November 1963: President Kennedy Buried
In November 1963, President John F. Kennedy was originally buried at Arlington National Cemetery before being reinterred at a new site in March 1967.
1966: Description of Historic District by National Register of Historic Places
In 1966, a National Register of Historic Places nomination form for Arlington House described the property boundaries within the historic district.
January 1967: Apollo 1 Astronauts Killed
On January 27, 1967, Gus Grissom and Roger Chaffee died in a flash fire inside the Apollo 1 command module. They were later buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
March 1967: Kennedy Reinterment
On March 14, 1967, President John F. Kennedy's remains were reinterred at Arlington National Cemetery, moving from his original burial site to a location marked with an "eternal flame".
June 1968: Robert Kennedy Buried
In June 1968, Senator Robert F. Kennedy was originally buried at Arlington National Cemetery, before being reinterred at a new site in December 1971.
December 1971: Robert Kennedy Re-interred
On December 1, 1971, Robert Kennedy's body was re-interred 100 feet (30 m) from its original June 1968 burial site.
January 1986: Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster
On January 28, 1986, the Space Shuttle Challenger flight STS-51-L exploded during launch, killing all crew members. Some remains were buried at Arlington, while others were returned to families.
May 1986: Space Shuttle Challenger Memorial Dedicated
On May 1986, the Space Shuttle Challenger Memorial was dedicated to the crew of flight STS-51-L who died during launch. The memorial includes the poem "High Flight".
October 1991: Parking Lot Expansion Plan
In October 1991, Arlington Cemetery's superintendent, John C. Metzler Jr., implemented a $1.4 million plan to clear a former 13-acre parking lot. This expansion would create approximately 9,000 additional grave sites.
1992: First Wreath Donation
In 1992, the Worcester Wreath company donated 5,000 wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery to honor the cemetery's dead, initiating what would become an annual tradition.
February 1995: Agreement to Transfer Land from Arlington House
In February 1995, officials of the U.S. Department of Interior and the U.S. Department of the Army signed an agreement to transfer 12 acres of Arlington Woods from Arlington House to the U.S. Army, to permit expansion of the cemetery.
1995: Original Land Transfer Agreement
In 1995, an agreement described the transfer of 12 acres to the cemetery.
September 1996: Authority to Transfer Woodland
In September 1996, Arlington Cemetery received the authority to transfer 12 acres of woodland from the National Park Service-controlled Arlington House.
September 1996: Authorization Act for Land Transfer
In September 1996, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997 authorized the Secretary of the Interior to transfer land in Section 29 to the Secretary of the Army.
1996: Ron Brown Buried at Arlington
In 1996, Secretary of Commerce Ron Brown was buried at Arlington National Cemetery after he and 34 others died in a plane crash in Croatia.
1997: Enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act
In 1997, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997 (Public Law 104–201) was enacted.
March 1998: National Park Service Proposal
In March 1998, the National Park Service informed the National Capital Planning Commission that it wanted to transfer only 4 acres to the cemetery, rather than the 12 acres that the 1995 agreement had described.
March 1998: Contradictory NPS Statement
In March 1998, the National Park Service's statement to the National Capital Planning Commission contradicted the 1999 environmental assessment.
1998: Congressional Proposal for Expansion
In 1998, a Congressional proposal to expand the cemetery onto land that the Navy Annex and Fort Myer then occupied led to concerns that Arlington County officials had not been properly consulted.
July 1999: Publication of Environmental Assessment
On July 12, 1999, the National Park Service published a Federal Register notice, announcing the availability of an environmental assessment for the transfer of land to Arlington Cemetery. The EA highlighted the presence of old-growth forest and significant archeological resources in the Interment Zone.
October 1999: Enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act
In October 1999, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2000 (Public Law 106–65) was enacted into law, requiring the Secretary of Defense to transfer administrative jurisdiction of the 36 acres Navy Annex property to the Secretary of the Army.
1999: Acquisition of Land from DoD and Fort Myer
In 1999, Arlington Cemetery acquired 8 acres of land from the DoD that was part of Fort Myer.
1999: Earlier Environmental Assessment
In 1999, an environmental assessment had described a transfer of the land.
1999: Environmental Assessment Details
In 1999, an environmental assessment proposed transferring either 9.6 acres or 12 acres to the cemetery. The assessment stated that transferring 12 acres was the plan directed by Public Law 104-201.
2000: Fiscal Year 2000 Authorization Act
In 2000, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2000 (Public Law 106–65) was enacted into law, subsequently requiring the Secretary of Defense to transfer administrative jurisdiction of the 36 acres (15 ha) Navy Annex property to the Secretary of the Army.
December 2001: Repeal of Obsolete Law
In December 2001, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002 repealed the "obsolete" part of Public Law 104-201 and required the Secretary of the Interior to transfer the approximately 12 acres Interment Zone to the Secretary of the Army within 30 days.
2001: Privately purchased markers not permitted
Between 1947 and 2001, privately purchased markers were permitted in the cemetery. The sections in which the cemetery permitted such markers are nearly filled and the cemetery generally does not allow new burials in these sections.
2001: Acquisition of Navy Annex Land
In 2001, Arlington Cemetery acquired 37 acres of land from the DoD that was the site of the Navy Annex building.
2001: Section 60 designated for war on terror casualties
Since 2001, Section 60 in Arlington National Cemetery is the burial ground for military personnel killed in the "war on terror".
2001: Land Usage Requirements
The 2001 legislation required the Secretary of the Army to use the Interment Zone for in-ground burial sites and columbarium, and the Secretary of the Interior to manage the remainder of Section 29 to provide a natural setting and visual buffer.
September 2002: Pentagon Memorial Dedicated
On September 11, 2002, a memorial to the 184 victims of the September 11 attacks on the Pentagon was dedicated in section 64 of Arlington National Cemetery. The memorial is shaped like a pentagon, and unidentified remains are buried beneath it.
2002: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year
In 2002, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002 (Public Law 107-107) repealed the "obsolete" part of Public Law 104-201 that had authorized the transfer of portions of Section 29 to the Secretary of the Army.
February 2003: Space Shuttle Columbia Disaster
On February 1, 2003, the Space Shuttle Columbia broke apart during reentry, killing all astronauts onboard. Some of the astronauts were later buried at Arlington.
February 2004: Space Shuttle Columbia Memorial Dedicated
On February 1, 2004, NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe dedicated a memorial to those who died in the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster. The Columbia broke apart upon reentry on February 1, 2003.
2004: Acquisition of Land from Arlington County
In 2004, Arlington Cemetery acquired 4 acres of land from Arlington County's Southgate Road right-of-way.
2005: Acquisition of Land from Fort Myer
In 2005, Arlington Cemetery acquired just under 10 acres of land from Fort Myer.
2005: Viral Photo of Wreaths
In 2005, a photo of snowy gravestones covered with wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery received widespread circulation on the internet, increasing awareness and support for the wreath-laying tradition.
2005: Restrictions on Media Coverage of Funerals
In 2005, restrictions on media coverage of funerals had begun being imposed.
2006: Millennium Project Land Conversions
In 2006, as part of the Millennium Project, 40 acres of unused space and 4 acres of maintenance property on the cemetery grounds were converted into burial space, allowing an additional 26,000 graves and 5,000 inurnments.
2007: Implementation of the Millennium Project
In 2007, Metzler implemented the Millennium Project, a $35 million expansion plan to utilize the Arlington woodland, Fort Myer, and Navy Annex land, despite criticism from environmental and historical preservation groups.
2007: VA policy on pentacle emblem changed
Prior to 2007, the VA did not allow the use of the pentacle as an emblem on tombstones. This policy changed following a settlement on 23 April after lawsuits by the family of Patrick Stewart.
July 2008: Report on Media Restrictions
In July 2008, The Washington Post reported that Arlington National Cemetery had been gradually increasing restrictions on media coverage of funerals since 2005, sparking controversy.
September 2008: Environmentalists expressed concerns about the partial destruction of native trees
In September 2008, environmentalists expressed concerns that an agreement would result in the partial destruction of a historically important stand of native trees.
2008: Lechner served as chief of the Supply Division of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
From 2008 to 2010, Lechner served as chief of the Supply Division of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
2008: Braille Flag Monument Installed
In 2008, a bronze Braille flag was installed as a monument to blinded or blind veterans, service members, and other Americans, following the American Braille Flag Memorial Act.
June 2010: Reprimand of Cemetery Officials
In June 2010, Secretary of the Army John M. McHugh reprimanded the cemetery's superintendent and his deputy after a DOD report revealed mismanagement, including misplaced headstones and improper burials.
June 2010: Appointment of Acting Superintendent
In June 2010, after the cemetery's management controversy began to end, the Army appointed Patrick K. Hallinan the acting superintendent of the cemetery.
July 2010: Retirement Announcement
In July 2010, Metzler had already announced his intention to retire, before the reprimand in June 2010.
October 2010: Hallinan Promoted Permanently
In October 2010, Patrick K. Hallinan was promoted permanently to the position of superintendent of Arlington National Cemetery.
2010: Lechner served as executive officer and deputy superintendent
Since 2010, Lechner served as executive officer and deputy superintendent of the cemetery under Hallinan.
March 2011: Staff Increase and Equipment Acquisition
In March 2011, the Army National Military Cemeteries executive director announced an increase in cemetery staff from 102 to 159, along with the acquisition of additional equipment to improve standards, following the discovery of management problems.
November 2011: Lechner retired from the U.S. Army
In November 2011, Lechner retired from the U.S. Army as a colonel after serving as chief of the Supply Division of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 2008 to 2010.
December 2012: United States Army Corps of Engineers asked for comments on a draft environmental assessment
On 12 December 2012, the United States Army Corps of Engineers asked for comments on a draft environmental assessment that described a further expansion of Arlington National Cemetery as part of the Millennium Project.
2012: Draft environmental assessment for cemetery expansion
In 2012, a draft environmental assessment was intended to implement conversion into burial space, including the removal of trees from Arlington Woods, but concluded that no significant impacts were expected.
2012: "Place of Remembrance" Approved
In 2012, legislation began moving through Congress to approve a "Place of Remembrance" at Arlington Cemetery, designed as an ossuary for unidentifiable remains.
2012: The cemetery's 2012 boundary
Under the tentative plan, Arlington County would give up the easement for Southgate Road (which lies between the Navy Annex property and the cemetery's 2012 boundary), and obtain a narrow easement along the southwest border of the Navy Annex site for a new Southgate Road.
January 2013: Memorandum of Understanding signed for cemetery expansion
In January 2013, Arlington County and the Army National Military Cemeteries signed a memorandum of understanding to expand the cemetery further.
March 2013: Corps of Engineers releases revised environmental assessment
On 12 March 2013, the Corps of Engineers released a revised environmental assessment for the Millennium Project.
March 2013: Funding appropriated for Millennium Project and future expansion
On 26 March 2013, the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2013 appropriated funding for the Millennium Project and a study for future expansion.
June 2013: Corps of Engineers releases final EA for Millennium Project
On 5 June 2013, after reviewing public comments, the Corps of Engineers released a final EA and a signed FONSI for the Millennium Project, retaining Alternative E.
July 2013: National Capital Planning Commission approves Millennium Project site and building plans
On 11 July 2013, the National Capital Planning Commission approved the site and building plans for the Millennium Project.
April 2014: Listing on the National Register of Historic Places
In April 2014, the Arlington National Cemetery Historic District, including Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington House, Memorial Drive, the Military Women's Memorial, and Arlington Memorial Bridge, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
May 2014: Jack E. Lechner, Jr. appointed superintendent
In May 2014, Jack E. Lechner, Jr. replaced Hallinan as superintendent of the cemetery.
June 2014: Cemetery celebrated 150th anniversary
During May and June 2014, the cemetery celebrated the 150th anniversary of its founding with a series of events, tours, and lectures. The Old Amphitheater was formally re-designated as the James Tanner Amphitheater.
2014: Wreaths Placed in All Sections
In 2014, volunteers were able to place wreaths in all sections of Arlington National Cemetery for the first time, marking a significant milestone for the annual wreath-laying tradition.
2014: Hallinan Promoted to Executive Director
In spring 2014, Patrick Hallinan was promoted to executive director of the Army National Military Cemeteries upon the retirement of Kathryn Condon.
August 2015: Lechner removed as superintendent
In August 2015, Lechner was removed as superintendent of the cemetery after a performance review.
September 2016: Increased Security Measures Implemented
In September 2016, Arlington National Cemetery increased security measures for visitors, including mandatory pedestrian access points, screenings at the Welcome Center, and valid photo identification for vehicle access, potentially causing delays.
December 2016: National Defense Authorization Act authorizes cemetery expansion
In December 2016, the National Defense Authorization Act authorized the Secretary of the Army to expand the cemetery by acquiring properties near the cemetery.
2016: Visitor Access Restrictions Announced
In 2016, new policies and procedures were announced that limited visitor access to the cemetery grounds, potentially causing delays for visitors.
2016: Bicycle Policy Established
In 2016, the Department of the Army established a bicycle policy stating that bicycling presents a safety hazard and is only allowed with a family pass.
March 2017: Katharine Kelley appointed superintendent
On 2 March 2017, Katharine Kelley was appointed superintendent of the cemetery.
April 2017: John Glenn Buried at Arlington
In April 2017, John Glenn, the first American to orbit Earth and a former U.S. Senator from Ohio, was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
June 2017: Army informs Arlington County it will no longer pursue land exchange
In June 2017, the Army informed Arlington County that it would no longer pursue a land exchange, and would use the entire Navy Annex site to expand the cemetery.
2018: US Army Corps of Engineers announced cemetery expansion
In 2018, the US Army Corps of Engineers announced that the expansion would allow for 40,000 to 60,000 additional burials and will incorporate the existing United States Air Force Memorial.
March 2019: Katharine Kelley moved to another Army position
In March 2019, Katharine Kelley moved to another Army position.
February 2020: Charles R. "Ray" Alexander appointed superintendent
On 18 February 2020, Charles R. "Ray" Alexander was appointed superintendent of the cemetery.
2021: Planned start of roadway construction for cemetery expansion
Roadway construction for the cemetery expansion is planned for 2021–2023.
2023: Planned start of cemetery construction for expansion
Cemetery construction for the expansion is planned for 2023–2025.
2024: Ongoing Funeral Services
As of 2024, Arlington National Cemetery conducts approximately 27 to 30 funerals each weekday and between six and eight services on Saturdays, continuing its role as an active burial ground.
2024: Value of Land Repurchase
In 2024, the equivalent value of the $150,000 paid in 1883 for the repurchase of Arlington Estate is $4,295,000.
2024: Value of 1864 Land Purchase and Taxes Owed
In 2024, the equivalent value of the $26,800 paid for Arlington Cemetery in 1864 is $538,794. Also in 2024, the equivalent value of the $92.07 in property taxes allegedly owed in 1864 is $1,851.
2024: Need for Additional Burial Space
In 2024, the need for additional burial space at Arlington Cemetery remained a challenge and priority due to limited space and large numbers of KIAs from wars, along with natural deaths from high-ranking military officials.
2025: Planned end of cemetery construction for expansion
Cemetery construction for the expansion is planned for 2023–2025.
