Joint Resolution for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
3/4/1921
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On March 4, 1921, Congress passed a Joint Resolution to return to the United States "the body of an American, who lost his life during the World War and whose identity has not been established, for burial in the Memorial Amphitheater of the National Cemetery at Arlington Virginia."
With more than 100,000 American casualties from the first World War, the large numbers of unidentified dead posed an unprecedented repatriation challenge for the United States. In December 1920, New York Congressman and WWI veteran Hamilton Fish, Jr., proposed legislation "to bring home the body of an unknown American warrior who in himself represents no section, creed, or race in the late war and who typifies, moreover, the soul of America and the supreme sacrifice of her heroic dead."
On November 11, 1921, the repatriated remains of an unknown member of the American Expeditionary Forces were interred at Arlington National Cemetery. Since then, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier has provided a final resting place for Unknowns from later wars and grown into a powerful national symbol of service and sacrifice.
With more than 100,000 American casualties from the first World War, the large numbers of unidentified dead posed an unprecedented repatriation challenge for the United States. In December 1920, New York Congressman and WWI veteran Hamilton Fish, Jr., proposed legislation "to bring home the body of an unknown American warrior who in himself represents no section, creed, or race in the late war and who typifies, moreover, the soul of America and the supreme sacrifice of her heroic dead."
On November 11, 1921, the repatriated remains of an unknown member of the American Expeditionary Forces were interred at Arlington National Cemetery. Since then, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier has provided a final resting place for Unknowns from later wars and grown into a powerful national symbol of service and sacrifice.
This primary source comes from the General Records of the United States Government.
Full Citation: Joint Resolution for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier; 3/4/1921; Enrolled Acts and Resolutions of Congress, 1789 - 2013; General Records of the United States Government, Record Group 11; National Archives Building, Washington, DC. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/resolution-tomb-unknown-soldier, October 13, 2024]Activities that use this document
- Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Resolution Analysis
Created by the National Archives Education Team
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