On this day in 1977, one day after the passing of Elvis Presley at the age of 42, Graceland was opened to the public for a viewing of The King’s casket.
Not only did thousands of mourners line Elvis Presley Blvd to pay their respects, but local and national florists ran out of stock as over 3,100 floral arrangements were delivered, setting a national record for single-day floral deliveries that still stands today.
To this day, fans worldwide continue to make the pilgrimage to Graceland to pay their respects to The King, many of whom continue the tradition of their 1977 predecessors by placing flowers in the Meditation Garden where Presley and his family are interred.
