Death and state funeral of Richard Nixon
Location | Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, California, U.S. |
---|---|
Participants | Gerald Ford Jimmy Carter Ronald Reagan George H. W. Bush Bill Clinton Spiro Agnew Bob Dole Henry Kissinger Pete Wilson Sir Edward Heath (former UK Prime Minister) Zou Jiahua (Vice Premier of the People's Republic of China) |
On April 22, 1994, Richard Nixon, the 37th president of the United States, died after suffering a significant stroke four days earlier, at the age of 81.
His state
Nixon's wife,
Nixon's state funeral is unique among recent presidential state funerals in that, in accordance with his own wishes, none of the elements of the state ceremonies occurred in the nation's capital.[4][5]
Death and tributes
Nixon suffered a significant stroke at his
U.S. President
Events in California
Transportation to the Nixon Library
Following the news of Nixon's death, tributes were placed at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library in
Lying in repose
Carried by eight military
Funeral service
The funeral service was held on Wednesday, April 27, on the grounds of the Nixon Library. The service was attended by over 4,000 people, including family members, President
International guests included:
- United Nations: Secretary General of the United Nations Boutros Boutros-Ghali
- People's Republic of China: Vice Premier of the People's Republic of China Zou Jiahua
- Russia: Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Alexander Shokhin
- Canada: Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada Lloyd Axworthy
- United Kingdom: former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Edward Heath
- Japan: former Prime Minister of Japan Toshiki Kaifu
- Israel: former President of Israel Chaim Herzog
The service was officiated by the Reverend Billy Graham, a friend of Richard Nixon's, who called him "one of the most misunderstood men, and I think he was one of the greatest men of the century."[6] Eulogies were delivered by Graham, Henry Kissinger, Senator Bob Dole, California Governor Pete Wilson and President Clinton.[3] Dole could not hold back his tears at the end of his speech.[9]
Following the service, Nixon was buried beside his wife; Pat had died on June 22, 1993. They are buried only steps away from
His funeral also marked the last major public appearance of former President Ronald Reagan, whose Alzheimer's disease was announced in November later that year.[10] Reagan would become the next former president to die, ten years later, on June 5, 2004.
References
- ^ William Cummings (2018-12-03). "From George Washington to George H.W. Bush: The history of presidential funerals". USA Today. Archived from the original on 2018-12-16. Retrieved 2018-12-12.
- ^ a b Perez-Pena, Richard (April 19, 1994). "Nixon 'Stable' After Stroke At His Home". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-08-14.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Funeral Services of President Nixon". Richard Nixon Library and Birthplace Foundation. Archived from the original on 2009-12-19. Retrieved 2008-08-14.
- ^ William Hamilton and Christine Spolar (April 28, 1994). "Richard Nixon's Long Journey Ends". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 2018-12-03. Retrieved 2018-12-12.
- ^ Elisabeth Bumiller and Elizabeth Becker (June 8, 2004). "The 40th President: The Plans; Down to the Last Detail, a Reagan Style Funeral". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2018-12-06. Retrieved 2018-12-12.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Weil, Martin and Eleanor Randolph (April 23, 1994). "Richard M. Nixon, 37th President, Dies". The Washington Post. p. A01. Archived from the original on 2008-08-30. Retrieved 2008-08-14.
- ^ a b Black, Conrad (2007), p. 1051
- ^ Apple, R. W. Jr. (27 April 1994). "THE 37TH PRESIDENT: DIGNITARIES; List of Overseas Guests for Nixon's Funeral is Short". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 10 October 2016. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
- YouTube
- ^ "The American Experience | Reagan | Book Excerpt | Lou Cannon". PBS. 2003-07-11. Archived from the original on 2003-07-11. Retrieved 2022-09-14.
Further reading
- Black, Conrad (2007). Richard M. Nixon: A Life in Full. New York: Public Affairs. OCLC 154699029.
External links
- Media related to Death and funeral of Richard Nixon at Wikimedia Commons