On March 11, 1930, President William Howard Taft became the first president buried in Arlington National Cemetery. (Trivia question: How many other presidents have been buried there? See answer below.) The monument pictured below marks the site.
To find his grave, go past the Welcome Center and turn right on Schley Drive. After turning, you will find immediately that there are signs to point you in the right direction. The monument is a short walk away. The monument rests on a small hill from which there is a nice view of Washington, D.C. across the Potomac River. Taft’s wife, Helen, who helped bring the Cherry Blossoms to Washington, is also buried in the gravesite with him.
President Taft has the unique distinction of having served both as president and chief justice of the Supreme Court, which are listed on his epitaph.
President of the United States
Chief Justice of the United States
Some have been introduced to Taft by means of popular culture: his likeness was the most recent addition to the Washington Nationals group of racing presidents. He has even been known to stop by the Library of Congress. Taft is also immortalized in the children’s book, President Taft is Stuck in the Bath, which my daughters frequently request.
(Trivia answer: How many other presidents have been buried in Arlington National Cemetery? There is one other president.)
Comments
But who’s choice was it for him to be buiried there and why did they choose Arlington