Arlington National Cemetery

Directly across the Potomac River, west of Washington DC, Arlington National Cemetery was established in 1864 on the confiscated estate of Robert E. Lee. It is an impressive sight, with seemingly endless rows of simple white headstones. In fact, more than 275,000 gravesites are here, and more than 100 burials per month continue to be scheduled at the cemetery, mostly for war veterans.

The Eternal Flame at John and Jacqueline Kennedy's gravesite is perhaps one of the most famous sights here, while Robert Kennedy's grave is marked by a simple wooden cross, the only wooden marker in the cemetery. The changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a solemn rite that occurs every half hour.

For the general public, Tourmobiles, which leave from the visitor center, provide the only motorized transportation through the cemetery. A narrated tour covers all major points of interest.

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Visit Online Highways' interactive American History project. A team of researchers is developing a site that will present U.S. history in the context of present day travel.

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