Motorcade facts for kids
A motorcade is a group of vehicles traveling together for a special reason. Think of it like a parade of cars, but usually for important people or events. Sometimes they are called a convoy or autocade.
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What Are Motorcades Used For?
Motorcades are used in different situations. They can help keep important people safe, or be part of a protest, or even be a respectful part of a funeral.
Protecting Important People
One main use for motorcades is to transport very important people (VIPs). These are often leaders like presidents or prime ministers. A VIP motorcade usually includes many police cars and other security vehicles. Their main job is to keep the people inside the motorcade safe from harm.
For example, a president's motorcade might have several armored cars. These cars are built to resist attacks. Police motorcycles and cars ride both in front and behind the main vehicles. This creates a protective bubble around the VIP.
Sometimes, for the safety of a country's leader, streets are completely closed off. This means no other cars can use those roads while the motorcade passes. This helps ensure a clear and safe path for the important person.
Motorcades for Protests
Motorcades can also be used by groups of people to protest or demonstrate. This often involves a large, organized group of vehicles. They might drive slowly on busy roads. Their goal is to cause traffic jams on purpose. This helps them draw attention to their cause. This type of protest is common for groups like truckers or farmers, who have access to many large vehicles.
Funeral Processions
A special type of motorcade is called a funeral cortege. This is a group of cars carrying mourners who are following a hearse. A hearse is the vehicle that carries the coffin. This motorcade travels together to the funeral service or burial site. It is a way to show respect for the person who has passed away.
Images for kids
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Calvin Coolidge arrives to dedicate a park in Hammond, Indiana, 1927
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Franklin D. Roosevelt in New Orleans, 1937
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Harry S. Truman leaves Boca Chica Field in Key West, Florida, 1951
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Dwight D. Eisenhower in Kabul, 1959
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John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy at Blair House, 1961
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Richard Nixon in Berlin, 1969
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Following Gerald Ford and Leonid Brezhnev on a tour of Vladivostok, 1974
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Jimmy Carter leaving Three Mile Island, 1979
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George W. Bush in Ada, Michigan, 2008
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Barack Obama in Baghdad, 2009
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Brazilian presidential motorcade at the inauguration of Dilma Rousseff in Brasília, 2011
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South Korean President Lee Myung-bak’s motorcade leaving Andrews Air Force Base in Washington, D.C., 2010
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Motorcade of South Korean President Park Geun-hye during her inauguration in Seoul, 2013
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Nicolae Ceaușescu's motorcade in Soviet Moldova, 1976