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[[image:arlington_1.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Arlington National Cemetery]]

[[image:arlington_1.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Arlington National Cemetery]]

'''Arlington National Cemetery''', established during the [[American Civil War]], is the final resting place for more than 250,000 American military servicemen. It is located in [[Arlington, Virginia|Arlington]] County, [[Virginia]], not far from [[the Pentagon]] and across the [[Potomac River]] from [[Washington DC]]. The [[Tomb of the Unknowns]], one of the more most-visited sites in the cemetery, is located near the center of the grounds. Arlington is a major tourist site near Washington, DC, with approximately 4 million visitors annually. Guided tours are given daily.

'''Arlington National Cemetery''', established during the [[American Civil War]], is the final resting place for more than 250,000 American military servicemen. It is located in [[Arlington, Virginia|Arlington]] County, [[Virginia]], not far from [[the Pentagon]] and across the [[Potomac River]] from [[Washington DC]]. The [[Tomb of the Unknowns]], one of the more most-visited sites in the cemetery, is located near the center of the grounds. Arlington is a major tourist site near Washington, DC, with approximately 4 million visitors annually. Guided tours are given daily.

Arlington National Cemetery is an active military cemetery, with almost 100 funerals taking place weekly.<ref>[http://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/visitor_information/index.htm Visitor information]</ref>

Arlington National Cemetery is an active military cemetery, with almost 100 funerals taking place weekly.<ref>[http://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/visitor_information/index.htm Visitor information]</ref>

== History ==

== History ==

The estate was originally owned by George Washington Parke "Wash" Custis, the step-grandson of [[President]] [[George Washington]], and his wife, Mary Lee Fitzhugh, whose only child, Mary Anna Randolph Custis, married [[Robert E. Lee]] on June 30, 1831. Under the terms of Custis's will, Mary Anna was granted use and control of the estate during her lifetime, with the title going to Robert and Mary Lee's eldest son, George Washington Custis Lee, upon her death. Lee never owned the estate outright, but managed it after his father-in-law's death in 1857 until the beginning of the [[American Civil War]].<ref name="history">[http://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/historical_information/arlington_house.html Historical information: Arlington House]</ref>

The estate was originally owned by George Washington Parke "Wash" Custis, the step-grandson of [[President]] [[George Washington]], and his wife, Mary Lee Fitzhugh, whose only child, Mary Anna Randolph Custis, married [[Robert E. Lee]] on June 30, 1831. Under the terms of Custis's will, Mary Anna was granted use and control of the estate during her lifetime, with the title going to Robert and Mary Lee's eldest son, George Washington Custis Lee, upon her death. Lee never owned the estate outright, but managed it after his father-in-law's death in 1857 until the beginning of the [[American Civil War]].<ref name="history">[http://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/historical_information/arlington_house.html Historical information: Arlington House]</ref>

The Lees never attempted to regain their property after the Civil War; however, their son George Washington Custis Lee filed suit in 1870 in circuit court, claiming the land had been taken illegally, and per his grandfather's will he was the rightful owner. In December 1882, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5 to 4 that the estate had been confiscated without due process and returned ownership to Custis Lee. Congress purchased it for $150,000 on March 3, 1883, and it became a military reservation.<ref name="history"/>

The Lees never attempted to regain their property after the Civil War; however, their son George Washington Custis Lee filed suit in 1870 in circuit court, claiming the land had been taken illegally, and per his grandfather's will he was the rightful owner. In December 1882, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5 to 4 that the estate had been confiscated without due process and returned ownership to Custis Lee. Congress purchased it for $150,000 on March 3, 1883, and it became a military reservation.<ref name="history"/>

==The Tomb of the Unknowns==

==The Tomb of the Unknowns==

==Interments==

==Interments==

*There are more than 3,800 former slaves buried in the cemetery. Their headstones have the word "Civilian" or "Citizen" on them.

*There are more than 3,800 former slaves buried in the cemetery. Their headstones have the word "Civilian" or "Citizen" on them.