100th Anniversary of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

2021 marks the centennial of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.  It is one of America's most iconic memorials and is visited every year by millions of visitors.  This exhibit explores its history.

Front and side view of new Tomb of Unknown Soldier (1932-05) by Signal Corps, USAOriginal Source: National Archives Identifier: 209280003

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

The tomb, a white neoclassic sarcophagus, sits on a hill in front of the Arlington Amphitheater.  It is the final resting for America's unknown soldiers of war.

New Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (1932-05) by Signal Corps, USAOriginal Source: National Archives Identifier: 209280006

Body of Unknown Soldier lying in state. Hotel DeVille, Chalons-sur-Marne, France (1921-10-24) by Signal Corps, USAOriginal Source: National Archives Identifier: 209280056

Part I - Journey of the Unknown Soldier

A pictorial journey of World War I's Unknown Soldier from France to Arlington, VA. 

Sergeant Edward Younger (1921-10-24) by Signal Corps, USAOriginal Source: National Archives Identifier: 209280054

Sgt. Edward F. Younger, U.S. Army

Sgt. Younger was chosen to select the Unknown World War I soldier by placing white roses on the casket at the city hall in Chalons-Sur-Marne on October 24, 1921. 

General View of Place de L'Hotel DeVille as the body was being removed, Chalons-Sur-Marne (1921-10-24) by Chalons-Sur-Marne, FranceOriginal Source: National Archives Identifier: 209280060

Place de L 'Hotel DeVille, Chalons-Sur-Marne, France

The Unknown Soldier lied in state at the Place de L 'Hotel DeVille in Chalons-Sur-Marne, France and then was removed to begin its journey on October 24, 1921. 

Carrying Unknown Soldier to Caisson. Le Havre, France (1921-10-25) by Signal Corps, USAOriginal Source: National Archives Identifier: 209280064

Le Havre, France

After leaving Chalons-Sur-Marne, the Unknown Soldier traveled by train to Le Havre, France arriving on October 25, 1921. 

Procession passing through Le Havre with American Unknown Soldier (1921-10-25) by Signal Corps, USAOriginal Source: National Archives Identifier

Streets of Le Havre

While in Le Havre, there were numerous ceremonies to honor the Unknown Soldier. Millions of French citizens lined up in the streets of Le Havre to watch the procession. 

French Minister of Pensions decorating the Unknown Soldier (1921-10-25) by Signal Corps, USAOriginal Source: National Archives Identifier: 209280074

Cross of the Legion of Honor

After traveling through Le Havre, the Unknown Soldier arrived at the port to board the USS Olympia. Before boarding, the French Minister of Pensions decorated the Unknown Soldier with the Cross of the Legion of Honor. 

The Unknown Soldier going aboard the "Olympia" Le Havre, France (1921-10-25) by Signal Corps, USAOriginal Source: National Archives Identifier: 209280078

Boarding the USS Olympia

Afterwards, soldiers carried the Unknown Soldier aboard the USS Olympia to begin the long journey across the ocean. 

U.S.S. Olympia leaving Le Havre, France (1925-10-25) by Signal Corps, USAOriginal Source: National Archives Identifier: 209280082

USS Olympia Departure

The USS Olympia departed the dock at Le Havre, France headed for Washington, DC. It arrived at the Navy Yard on November 9, 1921.

U.S.S. Olympia approaching the docks at the Navy Yard, Washington, DC (1921-11-11) by Signal Corps, USAOriginal Source: National Archives Identifier: 209279973

President Harding placing wreath of flowers on casket of Unknown Soldier in rotunda of the Capitol (1921-11-11) by Signal Corps, USAOriginal Source: National Archives Identifier: 209279975

Unknown Soldier at U.S. Capitol, Washington, DC

After disembarking at the Navy Yard, the Unknown Soldier traveled to the U.S. Capitol to lie in state. President Warren G. Harding visited the Capitol to pay his respects. 

Casket of Unknown Soldier leaving the Capitol (1921-11-11) by Signal Corps, USAOriginal Source: National Archives Identifier: 209279979

Leaving the Capitol

After lying in state, the Unknown Soldier departs the U.S. Capitol to begin the procession down Pennsylvania Avenue.  

Caisson passing down Pennsylvania Avenue during funeral parade (1921-11-11) by Signal Corps, USAOriginal Source: National Archives Identifier: 209279981

Procession

The caisson traveled down Pennsylvania Avenue with several soldiers and prominent people marching along while observers stand on the sidewalks to pay their respects. Prominent people included President Harding and Gen. John J. Pershing. 

President Harding and General Pershing in funeral parade (1921-11-11) by Signal Corps, USAOriginal Source: National Archives Identifier: 209279987

Arlington Amphitheater (1921-11-11) by Signal Corps, USAOriginal Source: National Archives Identifier: 209279971

Arlington Amphitheater

Upon the Unknown Soldier's arrival at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA, services were held at the Amphitheater.  President Harding delivered the remarks.

President Harding delivering address in Amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery, VA (1921-11-11) by Signal Corps, USAOriginal Source: National Archives Identifier: 209279977

Burial of Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, VA (1921-11-11) by Signal Corps, USAOriginal Source: National Archives Identifier: 209279983

Interment

People gathered outside the Amphitheater to watch the interment of the Unknown Soldier in front of the theater. 

The Unknown Soldier of the World War (1936) by Department of DefenseOriginal Source: National Archives Identifier: 24641

The approved model for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (1930) by Signal Corps, USAOriginal Source: Photographs of American Military Activities, ca. 1918 - ca. 1981

Part II: The Design

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (1922) by Signal Corps, USAOriginal Source: Photographs of American Military Activities, ca. 1918 - ca. 1981

Original Tomb

During its early years, the Unknown Soldier's tomb was a white marble slab.  Visitors and members of the military began visiting the tomb to pay their respects.  

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier taken during Pan American Journalists visit (1928) by Department of Commerce, Bureau of Public RoadsOriginal Source: National Archives Identifier: 135804921

Wreath placed by French Flyers on Tomb of Unknown Soldier (1930-09-08) by Signal Corps, USAOriginal Source: National Archives Identifier: 209279989

Princess America, Miss Alice Garry, Indian Girl of Spokane, Washington (1927-10) by Signal Corps, USAOriginal Source: Photographs of American Military Activities, ca. 1918 - ca. 1981

Approved model for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (1932) by Signal Corps, USAOriginal Source: Photographs of American Military Activities, ca. 1918 - ca. 1981

Sarcophagus Design

Due to concerns of damages to the slab by visitors, the War Department decided to launch a design competition to create a sarcophagus and an approaching stairway to the tomb in 1928.  It was completed in 1932. 

The Approaches to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (1930-12-15) by Office of the Chief of EngineersOriginal Source: National Archives Identifier: 109182716

View of front of Amphitheatre and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, showing new approach (1932-05) by Signal Corps, USAOriginal Source: National Archives Identifier: 209280000

"Taps" at the newly Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (1932-11-11) by Signal Corps, USAOriginal Source: National Archives Identifier: 209279997

Part III - The Old Guard

The Old Guard's role at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. 

3rd Infantry Regiment Guard at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (2007-05-01) by Department of DefenseOriginal Source: National Archives Identifier: 6680296

The Old Guard

The Old Guard is the name coined for the 3rd Infantry Regiment. Soldiers volunteer and go through training to become Tomb Guards. 

3rd Infantry Regiment Old Guard at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (2003-06-16) by Department of DefenseOriginal Source: National Archives Identifier: 6655067

Duties

The guards walk 21 steps on a black mat behind the Tomb and faces east, north, and south of the Tomb and switches his weapon all in 21 seconds. This routine is repeated until the Changing of the Guard.  

The changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (1988-04-11) by Department of the DefenseOriginal Source: National Archives Identifier: 6425393

Changing of the Guard

The Changing of the guard occurs every half hour from April 1st to September 30th and every hour from October 1st through March 31st. 

General Charles P. Summerall, Chief of Staff, war time commander of the First Division (1930-10) by Signal Corps, USAOriginal Source: National Archives Identifier: 209279994

Part IV - Wreath Laying Ceremonies

Wreath laying ceremonies at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier have long been a tradition to honor American military servicemen.  These ceremonies occurred mostly on Memorial and Veterans Days where visitors, presidents, politicians, foreign dignitaries, etc. would participate in placing a wreath in front of the tomb and give speeches. 

Wreath Laying Ceremony at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (1930/1940) by Signal Corps, USAOriginal Source: National Archives Identifier: 209280032

Memorial Day Services, Memorial Amphitheatre, Arlington National Cemetery (1936-05-30) by Signal Corps, USAOriginal Source: National Archives Identifier: 209280045

Toshio Nakayama (left), Japanese Minister of Defense (1993-05-03) by Department of DefenseOriginal Source: National Archives Identifier: 6681486

Secretary of the Navy James W. Webb Jr. participates in a wreath-laying ceremony (1987-05-30) by Department of DefenseOriginal Source: National Archives Identifier: 6429609

Annual Pilgrimage of the Gold Star Mothers, Inc. (1934-09-30) by Signal Corps, USAOriginal Source: National Archives Identifier: 209280039

Gold Star Mothers

One particular group, the Gold Star Mothers, would make their annual pilgrimage to Arlington and participate in a wreath laying ceremony over the years. 

Gold Star Mothers (1982-09-28) by Department of DefenseOriginal Source: National Archives Identifier: 6373366

Two children present a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery (1981-06-05) by Department of DefenseOriginal Source: National Archives Identifier: 6343041

Child Participation

Even children had the opportunity to place a wreath. 

President Coolidge placing a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Arlington National Cemetery (1927-11-11) by Signal Corps, USAOriginal Source: National Archives Identifier: 209280026

Part V - U.S. Presidents at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

During their terms, U.S. Presidents participated in wreath laying ceremonies and gave speeches on Memorial and Veterans Days.  

President Franklin D. Roosevelt at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (1939-11-11) by Signal Corps, USAOriginal Source: Photographs of American Military Activities, ca. 1918 - ca. 1981

President Truman lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery (1947-11-11) by Harry S. Truman Library (LP-HST)Original Source: National Archives Identifier: 199679

President Eisenhower at Amphitheater (1958-05-30) by Dwight D. Eisenhower Library (LP-DE)Original Source: National Archives Identifier: 6334822

President Dwight D. Eisenhower

On Memorial Day 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower participated in the ceremonies to honor the Unknown Soldiers from World War II and the Korean War in the Amphitheater.

Memorial Day Ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery (1961) by John F. Kennedy Library (LP-JFK)Original Source: National Archives Identifier: 6372843

President Gerald R. Ford at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (1974-10-28) by Gerald R. Ford Library (LP-GRF)Original Source: National Archives Identifier: 23869125

President Jimmy Carter lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (1978-11-11) by Jimmy Carter Library (LP-JC)Original Source: National Archives Identifier: 182328

President Reagan presenting Medal of Honor (1984-05-28) by Ronald Reagan LibraryOriginal Source: National Archives Identifier: 6331046

President Ronald Reagan

On May 28, 1984, the Unknown Soldier from the Vietnam War was interred at Arlington. President Reagan presided over the ceremony and presented the Congressional Medal of Honor to the Unknown Soldier in the Amphitheater.  The Unknown Soldier was identified in May 1998 as Air Force 1st Lt. Michael Joseph Blassie, a pilot who was shot down in 1972 and his remains were returned to his family.

President Bush observing Veteran's Day (1991-11-11) by George Bush Library (LP-GB)Original Source: National Archives Identifier: 6728229

President Bill Clinton placing a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (1993-11-11) by William J. Clinton Presidential Library (LP-WJC)Original Source: National Archives Identifier: 5701126

President George W. Bush lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (2003-11-11) by Department of DefenseOriginal Source: National Archives Identifier: 6658687

President Barack Obama Participates in a Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (2012-11-11) by Barack Obama Presidential Library (LP-BHO)Original Source: National Archives Identifier: 176552676

Credits: Story

Curator: Alexis Hill

Project Supervisors: Meg Ryan and William Wade

Special thanks to: Ashley Behringer, Kaitlyn Crain-Enriquez, Amy Edwards, Amber Forrester, and Dan Rooney

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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