Arlington National Cemetery, originally known as Arlington House, has a complex history dating back to the founding of the United States. The property was once owned by George Washington's stepson, John Park Custis, and later inherited by Mary Anna Randolph Custis, the wife of Robert E. Lee. The cemetery was established as a national burial ground during the Civil War, with over 16,000 soldiers buried there by 1865. The story of Arlington National Cemetery serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by ordinary Americans to preserve freedom and the importance of civic education in understanding our nation's history.
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