The Memorial Amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery is considered to be the official site for ceremonies honoring U.S. service members. Many ceremonies are conducted here annually, including three main services: Easter, Memorial Day and Veteran's Day, each attended by around 5,000 people. Many state funerals are conducted here as well, and also services led by various military organizations. Every President of the 20th and 21th centuries has presided over a holiday ceremony here.
The Amphitheater was dreamed up by Judge Ivory Kimball, who wanted to create a place where people could come and honor U.S. soldiers.
The Amphitheater was authorized by Congress on March 4, 1913.
The cornerstone was laid by President Woodrow Wilson, on Oct. 15, 1915. The contents of the cornerstone included:
The Bible
The Declaration of Independence
The U.S. Constitution
U.S. Flag (1915)
Designs and plans for the amphitheater
L'Enfant's map design of the city of Washington, D.C.
Autograph of the amphitheater commission
One of each U.S. coin in use in 1915
One of each U.S. postage stamp in use in 1915
1914 map of Washington, D.C.
The Congressional Directory
Boyd's City Directory for the District of Columbia
Autographed photo of President Woodrow Wilson
The cornerstone dedication program
The Evening Star newspaper account of the ceremonies, and the campaign to build the Amphitheater
(list found at arlingtoncemetery.org)
The Memorial Amphitheater was dedicated on May 15, 1920.
Made mostly of Danby marble, which was quarried in Vermont, the amphitheater consists of an open colonnade encircling an inner open seating area. The stage area is the back part of a building that houses military (awards/medals to honor the unknown soldiers) memorabilia. The Memorial Display room is made of Botticino stone, which was imported from Italy. The building faces onto The Tomb of the Unknowns, with a beautiful view of the Capitol buildings across the Potomac. There is also a small chapel underneath the amphitheater stage. The New York based firm of Carrère and Hastings designed the amphitheater and building, led by architect Thomas Hastings.
These are the inscriptions on the amphitheater (taken from arlingtoncemetery.org):
The names of 44 U.S. battles from the American Revolution through the Spanish-American War are inscribed around the frieze above the colonnade. The names of 14 U.S. Army generals and 14 U.S. Navy admirals prior to World War I are inscribed on each side of the amphitheater stage.
When we assumed the soldier we did not lay aside the citizen," from then-Gen. George Washington's June 26, 1775, letter to the Provincial Congress is inscribed inside the apse. "We here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain," from President Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address is inscribed above the stage.
"DULCE ET DECORUM EST PRO PATRIA MORI," a quote from Horace's Ode III, 2, 13 is etched above the west entrance of the Memorial Amphitheater. Translated from the Latin: "It is sweet and fitting to die for one's country."
Wiki Article 1, Wiki Article 2
Site with numerous historic photos of Arlington Cemetery (including the amphitheater)