Babe Ruth was idolized and beloved by millions of Americans, especially children. When he died, at 8:01 p.m. on August 16, 1948 at the age of 53, America lost a truely great mythic hero, as well as the greatest player ever to play the game. He lay in state in "the House that Ruth Built" for two days as more than 200,000 individuals paid their last respects. An invitation to Ruth's funeral can be seen below. Distraught dads lifted their sons up for one final look. To the left is a rose that lay on Ruth's casket.

Three days later, Ruth's funeral was held at St. Patrick's Cathedral. Tens of thousands were in the streets outside while tens of thousands more lined the funeral procession route. Ruth's former teammates served as his pallbearers. Claire Ruth, Babe's widow, lived on at their apartment at 100 Riverside Drive for another 28 years until her death.