Finally paid a visit to Congressional Cemetery on the edge of Capitol Hill today. Though we were unable to locate any of the notable graves, it's the resting place of J. Edgar Hoover, Matthew Brady, and John Philip Sousa. John Quincy Adams, William Henry Harrison, Zachary Taylor, Abigail Adams, and Dolley Madison were all interred here briefly. There are also memorial stones to many—among them John C. Calhoun, Henry Clay, Hale Boggs, and Tip O'Neill. It's a remarkably peaceful and quiet place, and a good place to contemplate our history. Next time out, I'll go armed with a map and cell phone to trace the cell phone tour.
When I got home and started doing what should have preparatory research, I learned that David Herold, one of the Lincoln assassination conspirators is buried here. By chance, I discovered that today is the anniversary of his hanging.
Here Lincoln conspirators George Atzerodt & David Herold are prepared for their hanging, this day 1865: pic.twitter.com/ttjeSrBJ6j
— Michael Beschloss (@BeschlossDC) July 7, 2013