About Arlington National Cemetery

This national monument and active cemetery for more than 400,000 departed active service members and veterans sits on a Virginia hill overlooking the Potomac River and Washington, D.C. Arlington National Cemetery was founded in 1864 for use as a military cemetery on the grounds of the 19th Century home Arlington House that was formerly owned by Gen. Robert E. Lee and his wife Marie Anna. It attracts more than three million visitors each year and holds nearly 10,000 ceremonies and services. John F. Kennedy, Robert Kennedy and William Taft are among the notable people buried here.