Tomb of the Unknown Soldier [U.S.] Quiz

Answer: Arlington National Cemetery

Arlington National Cemetery is located in Virginia on a hill overlooking Washington D.C. and is the final resting place of many thousands of military and other notable people. These include actor and decorated soldier Audie Murphy, US Presidents John F. Kennedy and William Howard Taft, sportsmen Abner Doubleday and Joe Louis, and explorers Admiral Richard Byrd and Robert E. Peary.

Answer: Montgomery Meigs

Quartermaster General Montgomery Meigs was instructed by Secretary of War Edwin Stanton to find a place for the large numbers of dead from the US Civil War. Meigs recommended the estate of General Robert E. Lee in Arlington. He proceeded to transfer deceased soldiers from the army morgue and had them buried on this land which became Arlington National Cemetery.

The first bodies were buried in 1864. Upon his death in 1892, General Meigs was himself buried at Arlington with military honors.

Answer: 21

The number 21 was selected because it relates to the 21-gun salute which is the highest military honor that can be given. The tomb guard starts his walk by stepping on a black mat in front of the tomb. His tour is called "walking the mat".

Answer: False

He carries his rifle on his outside shoulder away from the tomb. This is to show that the guard is always between the tomb and any persons who may try to do harm to the monument. After he walks past the tomb, he stops and turns, moving the rifle to his outside shoulder away from the tomb, waits 21 seconds and walks past again.

Answer: Every 30 minutes

The guard is changed every 30 minutes during the summer months of April - September, and every hour during October - March, when heat is less likely to be a problem. It is changed every two hours when the cemetery is closed or during non-visiting hours.

Answer: Every day of the year

The tomb is guarded 24 hours a day every day of the year, in any weather. The tomb guards are trained not to show their discomfort however hot or cold they feel. It is an honor that they take very seriously. If an extreme weather event, like a severe lightning storm, should occur, contingencies are in place to ensure the safety of the tomb guard.

Answer: 21 seconds

Like the 21 steps, the 21 seconds between passes of the tomb is in keeping with the 21-gun salute which is the highest honor a soldier can receive.

Answer: World War I

The six wreaths represent major World War 1 campaigns in which US soldiers took part. They are the battles of Somme, Belleau Wood, Chateau-Thierry, Meusse-Argonne, Oisiu-Eiseu and Ardennes. On another side of the monument are three Greek figures that stand for Peace, Victory and Valor. On the last side are the words "Here rests in honored glory an American soldier known but to God".

Answer: President Nixon

President Richard M. Nixon was the 37th president of the United States from 1969 to 1974. He died on April 22, 1994 and is buried on the grounds of the Richard Nixon Library which is located in Yorba Linda, California. This is also where he was born. His wife Pat is buried next to him. Former first lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis died in 1994 and is buried next to President John F. Kennedy. Actor Lee Marvin died in 1987 and is buried at Arlington.

He served as a U.S. marine in World War 11 and is a Purple Heart recipient. Civil rights leader Medgar Evers was killed in 1963.

He served in the army and is buried at Arlington.

Answer: 1921

An unknown soldier from WW1 was placed in the tomb on November 11, 1921. President Warren G. Harding had the official interment ceremony at the Amphitheater in the cemetery. The unknown soldier that had been lying in state at the United States Capitol rotunda was moved to the cemetery at this time.