Which president was not buried under the American flag? This question may seem trivial, but it highlights an interesting aspect of American presidential history. Throughout the years, many presidents have been honored with a grandiose funeral, but there is one president who was not buried under the American flag, and his story is quite intriguing.
The president in question is Millard Fillmore, the 13th President of the United States. Fillmore served from 1850 to 1853, a time when the nation was deeply divided over the issue of slavery. Despite his presidency being overshadowed by the Civil War, Fillmore’s legacy includes significant accomplishments, such as the Compromise of 1850, which helped to maintain the Union for a few more years.
Upon his death in 1874, Fillmore’s funeral was a grand affair, attended by thousands of mourners. However, unlike many of his predecessors and successors, Fillmore was not buried under the American flag. This decision was influenced by a personal request made by Fillmore himself.
Before his death, Fillmore expressed his wishes for a simple and modest funeral. He wanted to be buried in a quiet and unassuming manner, without the pomp and circumstance that had become customary for presidents. Fillmore’s request reflected his humble nature and his belief that a president’s legacy should not be measured by the grandeur of their funeral.
In accordance with Fillmore’s wishes, his body was interred in a small family plot in Buffalo, New York. The modest gravestone reads: “Here lies Millard Fillmore, Thirteenth President of the United States.” The lack of a flag-draped casket and the simplicity of the burial site stand in stark contrast to the elaborate funerals of other presidents.
Fillmore’s decision to forgo a flag-draped casket was not solely based on his personal beliefs. It also had to do with the political climate of the time. As a Whig and later a Know-Nothing Party member, Fillmore was not part of the dominant Democratic Party during his presidency. His funeral, therefore, did not receive the same level of support from the federal government as those of his Democratic counterparts.
Fillmore’s choice to be buried without the American flag serves as a reminder of the importance of personal beliefs and the influence of political parties on presidential funerals. While many presidents have been honored with grandiose funerals and flag-draped caskets, Fillmore’s decision to remain humble and modest in death highlights the diversity of opinions and values within the American political landscape.
In conclusion, the question of which president was not buried under the American flag leads us to Millard Fillmore, a president who valued simplicity and humility in both life and death. His story serves as a unique chapter in American presidential history, one that emphasizes the personal beliefs and political climate of the time.
