John F. Kennedy Eternal Flame, Presidential memorial in Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia, US
The John F. Kennedy Eternal Flame is a grave and memorial in Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, where a fire burns within a round bronze structure surrounded by granite stones. The site sits on a gently sloping grassy hillside with open views across the cemetery grounds.
Jacqueline Kennedy lit the fire on November 25, 1963, during the state funeral following the assassination in Dallas a few days earlier. The system was upgraded in 2013 with new gas lines without extinguishing the flame.
The name Eternal Flame captures the symbolic role this memorial plays for those who come to honor the former president. Many visitors pause quietly when they reach the flame, observing a moment of silence as they stand before the bronze circle.
The grounds are open from April through September between 8 AM and 7 PM, and from October through March they close at 5 PM. Access is via wide pathways that accommodate wheelchairs and strollers.
The bronze structure contains a sophisticated drainage system that prevents rainwater from extinguishing the fire. During the 2013 upgrade, the flame remained lit, which posed a technical challenge.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
