PRESIDENT HARDING LAYS WREATH AT TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On Armistice Day*, November 11, 1922, President Warren G. Harding "paid tribute" by placing a wreath** on the tomb of the Unknown Soldier*** at Arlington National Cemetery.
Flanking the commander-in-chief during the ceremony were the Secretaries of War and Navy.
The tomb bears the inscription...
"Here rests in honored glory an American soldier known but to God."
In a message to the Nation sent out the previous evening, the President said Armistice Day marks...
"the victorious culmination of our nation's most impressive participation in the affairs of the world."
*Armistice Day marks the signing of the armistice between the Allies & Germany on November 11, 1918. The armistice would go into effect "on the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month. Today, it is known as Veterans Day in the United States.
**The wreath included American beauties & great, white chrysanthemums.
***The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is the final resting place of one of America's unidentified WWI servicemen as well as unknowns from later wars. The tomb is a white marble sarcophagus standing on a hill overlooking the Nation's Capital.
SOURCES
"President Leads Nation's Tribute To Soldier Dead," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., November 11, 1922, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
"The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier," Arlington National Cemetery, www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/
