Mexico City National Cemetery facts for kids
View toward the monument at the Mexico City National Cemetery
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| Details | |
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| Established | 1851 |
| Location |
Colonia San Rafael, Mexico City
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| Country | Mexico |
| Owned by | American Battle Monuments Commission |
| No. of graves | ~1,000 |
The Mexico City National Cemetery is a special burial ground in Mexico City. It was created in 1851 by the United States Congress. Its main purpose was to gather the American soldiers who died during the Mexican–American War. These soldiers were buried in fields nearby. The cemetery also provided a place for other Americans who passed away in the area.
This cemetery was the first military burial ground for the United States located outside the country. It became a model for many other similar cemeteries built later on.
Contents
History of the Cemetery
How the Cemetery Started
A law passed by the U.S. government on September 28, 1850, allowed land to be bought for this cemetery. Two acres of land were purchased for $3,000. About $1,734 was spent on improvements in July 1852. By 1853, around 750 American soldiers were buried there.
The Monument and Its Message
A small monument stands at the cemetery. It marks a shared grave for 750 American soldiers who died in the Mexican-American War (also called the War of 1847). The monument has these words carved into it:
- TO THE HONORED MEMORY
- OF 750 AMERICANS
- KNOWN BUT TO GOD
- WHOSE BONES COLLECTED
- BY THEIR COUNTRY'S ORDER
- ARE HERE BURIED
Even though the monument says "Known but to God," the names of all these soldiers are actually known.
Life at the Cemetery
In 1866, a newspaper called The Nation reported something interesting. The cemetery keeper, Mr. Schneider, was allowed to grow vegetables on the grounds. This helped him earn extra money besides his burial fees. He grew a lot of cabbages. Because of this, people in Mexico City sometimes called the cemetery "American cabbage-ground." In May 1872, the U.S. government approved an annual salary of $1,105 for the cemetery keeper.
In January 1873, the cemetery became officially protected and funded. It was managed by the same group that took care of military cemeteries in the United States.
Later Years and Administration
This cemetery covers about 1-acre (4,000 m2) of land. It also holds the remains of 813 Americans and others in wall crypts. These crypts are on both sides of the cemetery. The cemetery stopped allowing new burials in 1923.
Today, the American Battle Monuments Commission manages the cemetery. It is open to visitors every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed only on December 25 and January 1. The cemetery is also open on Mexican holidays. When you visit, a staff member is usually there to help. They can answer questions and guide families to grave sites.
Where to Find the Cemetery
The cemetery is located at 31 Virginia Fabregas, in Colonia San Rafael. This is about 2 miles (3.2 km) west of the Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral. It is also about 1-mile (1.6 km) north of the U.S. embassy.
Important People Buried Here
Some notable people were buried at the Mexico City National Cemetery:
- Henry Watkins Allen (1820–1866): He was a brigadier general for the Confederate States. He also served as the governor of Louisiana. His remains were later moved and reburied in Louisiana.
- James E. Slaughter (1827–1901): He was also a brigadier general for the Confederate States.
See also
In Spanish: Cementerio Nacional de la Ciudad de México para niños
