The one thing Hillary Clinton did a lot as secretary of state

Jonathan Ernst | Reuters

When she wasn't mediating international conflicts or coordinating foreign policy, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had another important purpose: laying wreaths across the world.

As Clinton traveled in 2009 and 2010, a trail of ornate wreaths was left behind, according to records of her schedule obtained by CNBC. Clinton placed at least 17 wreaths at memorials in 14 countries, once managing to place four wreaths in four days as she moved across Eastern Europe.

Wreath-lying events were not improvised affairs. Clinton's schedule included specific stage instructions, directing the secretary to step "backwards three steps," take "ten steps to the right," "face forward to the press," or "observe a moment of silence." Often soldiers were called upon to position the wreaths, while Clinton must simply "straighten the wreath," "adjust the wreath," or "arrange the ribbons" afterward.

But Clinton didn't always stick to the script. In Armenia, the secretary seems to have decided against touching the red, white and blue wreath ribbon that read "Hillary Rodham Clinton," instead opting for a few additional moments of silence.

To look at all 3,721 pages of Clinton's schedule, click here .



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