Ronald Reagan's body rode in solemn procession through the US capital last night and was saluted by thousands of people who came to pay tribute to the former president.
The body of the 40th president of the US was carried on a horse-drawn caisson, a traditional military wagon, down Constitution Avenue to the US Capitol, where it was to lie in state for 34 hours. It was followed by a riderless black horse, with a pair of Mr Reagan's favorite boots turned backward in the stirrups, symbolising the death of a military leader.
Policemen on motorcycles drive ahead of the horse drawn procession as it makes its way down Constitution Avenue enroute to the Capitol June 9, 2004 in Washington, DC carrying the body of former President Ronald Reagan, the 40th U.S. president who died at the age of 93 on June 5 after a ten year battle with Alzheimer's disease. Reagan's body will lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda until June 10. (Photo by Paula Bronstein/Getty Images)
Policemen on motorcycles drive ahead of the horse drawn procession as it makes its way down Constitution Avenue enroute to the Capitol June 9, 2004 in Washington, DC carrying the body of former President Ronald Reagan. (Photo by Paula Bronstein/Getty Images)
Military jets swooped low over the procession and drums rolled as the stately procession proceeded down the mile-and-a half route, lined with thousands of onlookers who endured intense heat and humidity to pay tribute to Mr Reagan.
People applauded and cheered Mr Reagan's 82-year-old widow, Nancy, as she left her limousine at one point on the route to watch the coffin placed on the military wagon. The frail-looking former first lady leaned for support on the arm of a military officer and waved to the crowd.
Mr Reagan, who died on Saturday aged 93 after a 10-year struggle with Alzheimer's disease, had lain in repose at his presidential library at Simi Valley near Los Angeles for a day and a half before being flown to Washington.
After tomorrow's funeral service at Washington National Cathedral, the coffin will be flown back to California for a sunset burial in the grounds of his presidential library.
Just before Mr Reagan's body landed in Washington, the Capitol and nearby Supreme Court were evacuated after a small plane entered restricted airspace but authorities quickly said it was a false alarm.
Vice President Dick Cheney and Republican congressional leaders spoke at a closed ceremony. "It was the vision and will of Ronald Reagan that gave hope to the oppressed, shamed the oppressors and ended an 'Evil Empire'," Mr Cheney said, referring to the Soviet Union.
Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney were among the first to pay respects to the late president. Mrs Thatcher paused and gently touched the flag-draped coffin.
Many past and present world leaders and veterans of the Cold War struggle against communism were making their way to Washington for tomorrow's funeral service. They included former Soviet communist leader Mr Mikhail Gorbachev, formally representing Russia, and Mrs Thatcher.
An estimated 2,000 people were filing past Mr Reagan's casket during the overnight public viewing in the Rotunda.