In 1864 the Union Army established a cemetery on the grounds of Arlington House, Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s family estate, which had been seized for use in the defense of Washington.

The first burials took place around the rose garden of the general’s wife, Mary Custis Lee.  Since then, Arlington National Cemetery has become the nation’s premier military cemetery.

Over 400,000 soldiers, prominent Americans and their spouses have been buried there.

The schedule for events commemorating the 150th anniversary of the cemetery can be found at Arlington 150