Arlington National Cemetery

For those who have visited the Arlington National Cemetery, or simply know a lot about its origins, Arlington House is a recognizable feature of the historic site. However, before it became a dedicated national cemetery, it served multiple purposes once it was no longer a plantation both during and after the Civil War.

Precision, discipline, and reverence—every 21 steps taken by the Tomb Guards at Arlington National Cemetery is a tribute to sacrifice. Discover the history and powerful symbolism behind their silent vigil, the elite training it takes to earn the badge, and why this sacred duty is one of the military’s highest honors.

Poland’s famed pianist and one‑time prime minister died in New York in 1941 and was honored at Arlington National Cemetery. His coffin stayed in the USS Maine vault for 51 years before returning to a free Poland in 1992.

In 1914 Arlington National Cemetery unveiled a towering Confederate monument. At the time, advocates framed it as an effort toheal a divided nation but at the same time, the memorial was steeped in Lost Cause imagery. A century later its presence—and removal—became a flashpoint in America’s reckoning with race and memory.