1917 Capitol Memorial: Admiral Deweys Last Rites

On January 20, 1917, a significant event unfolded at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., as the funeral of Admiral George Dewey took place. Dewey, a key figure in the Spanish-American War, became renowned for his victory at the Battle of Manila Bay in 1898, where his naval strategy helped establish the United States as a formidable maritime power. The funeral honored his contributions to American military history and paid tribute to a military leader whose influence extended beyond the battlefield.

Captured by a photographer from the Bain News Service, this image is part of early 20th-century photojournalism. It highlights the somber atmosphere of the funeral, attended by dignitaries and military officers who paid their respects to Dewey’s legacy. The glass negative technique used here was prevalent at the time, allowing photographers to produce detailed images that documented significant national events. This photograph not only memorializes Dewey but also reflects the evolving role of photography in documenting history as it unfolded.