Death and state funeral of Ronald Reagan facts for kids
On June 5, 2004, Ronald Reagan, who was the 40th President of the United States, passed away. He had been ill with Alzheimer's disease for nearly 10 years. After his death, a special seven-day state funeral was held for him.
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What Happened After He Died?
After President Reagan died, his body was taken from his home in Bel Air, California. It went to a funeral home in Santa Monica, California. There, preparations were made for his burial.
On June 7, Reagan's casket was moved by a special vehicle called a hearse. His funeral service was led by Michael Wenning, who was Reagan's Presbyterian minister.
Funeral Events in Washington, D.C.
First, President Reagan's casket was shown at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California. Then, on June 9, it was flown to Washington, D.C.. There, a service was held at the U.S. Capitol. People could also view the casket and pay their respects.
Reagan's body lay in state for 34 hours in the Capitol Rotunda. This means people could come and see the casket to honor him. After this, a state funeral service took place at the Washington National Cathedral on June 11.
President George W. Bush's Words
On the same day, President George W. Bush announced a national day of mourning. This meant people across the country would remember President Reagan. President Bush was in Paris when Reagan passed away.
Later that day, after the service, Reagan's casket was flown back to California. He was buried at the Reagan Presidential Library. President Bush spoke about Reagan in Paris, saying:
This is a sad hour in the life of America. A great American life has come to an end. I have just spoken to Nancy Reagan. On behalf of our whole nation, Laura and I offered her and the Reagan family our prayers and our condolences.
Ronald Reagan won America's respect with his greatness, and won its love with his goodness. He had the confidence that comes with conviction, the strength that comes with character, the grace that comes with humility, and the humor that comes with wisdom. He leaves behind a nation he restored and a world he helped save.
During the years of President Reagan, America laid to rest an era of division and self-doubt. And because of his leadership, the world laid to rest an era of fear and tyranny. Now, in laying our leader to rest, we say thank you. He always told us that for America, the best was yet to come. We comfort ourselves in the knowledge that this is true for him, too. His work is done, and now a shining city awaits him. May God bless Ronald Reagan.
A Look Back at History
This state funeral was the first one since Lyndon B. Johnson's funeral in 1973. Richard Nixon, who was president during Johnson's funeral, chose not to have a state funeral when he died in 1994. Reagan's state funeral was also the first major event Washington, D.C., hosted since the September 11 attacks.
Who Attended the Funeral?
Around 4,000 people came to the cathedral for the service. This included President George W. Bush and his wife, Laura. Also present were former presidents and their wives: George H. W. and Barbara Bush, Gerald and Betty Ford, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, and Bill and Hillary Clinton.
Many members of Congress, like Dick Cheney and Sandra Day O'Connor, were there. Past and present governors also attended. Important leaders from other countries came too. These included Mikhail Gorbachev from Russia, Margaret Thatcher from the UK, and Brian Mulroney from Canada. Prince Charles represented Queen Elizabeth II.
Other world leaders who attended were UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, and former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone. California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger was also present. Close friends like Donald Rumsfeld and Colin Powell were there.
Other notable guests included Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, former President of Poland Lech Wałęsa, and former Vice president Al Gore. Jordan's King Abdullah and New York City mayors Michael Bloomberg and Rudy Giuliani also came. Interim presidents Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan and Ghazi Mashal Ajil al-Yawer of Iraq attended. The Irish President Mary McAleese was also present.
Leaders who paid their respects included Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin, French President Jacques Chirac, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.
Images for kids
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During the week's events Nancy Reagan was escorted in public by U.S. Army Major General Galen B. Jackman
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Nancy Reagan leans her head on her husband's casket at his presidential library
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The caisson with President Reagan's casket on Constitution Avenue, marching to the Capitol
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The riderless horse, Sergeant York, with Reagan's own riding boots reversed in the stirrups.
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Reagan's casket is carried into the Washington National Cathedral, June 11
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President Bush delivers a eulogy
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The memorial service at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
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Nancy Reagan leaving the gravesite
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Reagan's tomb
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Aboard USS Ronald Reagan, June 7, 2004: Navy sailor writes a personal message in book to be presented to Nancy Reagan during President Ronald Reagan's interment ceremony.
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See also
In Spanish: Muerte y funeral de Estado de Ronald Reagan para niños
