Some 25,000 people from around the globe came to pay their respects to Kennedy on the first of the two days of wake, Kennedy's office said.
Young and old, blacks and whites, Hispanics and Indian-Americans -- thousands formed serpentine queues as America mourned the death of 'Tedd' Kennedy, the "Liberal Lion of the Senate" and the last surviving son of the legendary political family of the United States.
The US flag draped the coffin of Edward Kennedy, 77, which lay in state at the John F Kennedy Presidential Library in Boston, his beloved hometown. The unprecedented number of mourners forced the authorities to extend the hours of public viewing beyond it was scheduled for.
Some 25,000 people from around the globe came to pay their respects to Kennedy on the first of the two days of wake, Kennedy's office said.
The last surviving son in a legendary political family, Kennedy died battling cancer on Tuesday. His funeral is scheduled for tomorrow.
It would be attended by top leaders of the country, including US president Barack Obama, who would deliver an eulogy at the funeral ceremony. Kennedy would be laid to rest at the Arlington National Cemetery.
Three other former presidents are expected to attend the funeral. As the nation mourns the death of its popular leader, the national flag, according to a presidential proclamation, would fly at half staff mast till August 30.
Almost all the television news channels have been running stories about Edward Kennedy round the clock and giving it extensive coverage.
"They hailed from Wisconsin and Ukraine, from New Jersey and Brookline. They were tourists fresh off Duck Boats and veterans with still-vivid memories of Da Nang; recent immigrants and lifelong Bostonians; greying professionals and kids in Crocs," wrote The Boston Globe, giving a sense of the view outside the John F Kennedy Presidential Library.
Earlier, thousands of people lined up on the both sides of the road, as the motorcade carrying the body of the departed leader drove from his home to the library.
"They spoke Italian and Russian, Arabic and Hindi, Spanish and English of every standard and accent," the newspaper said. People waited in queue for several hours to pay their homage to Edward Kennedy.
"For those who wanted, needed to be there last night, the wait did not matter," the newspaper said.
His widow Victoria Reggie Kennedy thanked people for this outpouring of love and affection and said she was deeply moved. "I just want to thank them so much for coming this evening and showing love and support for my husband."
"It's a tremendous solace to all our family," she added. Kennedy's body will lie in repose through Friday at the library where a memorial service is scheduled in the evening. Vice president Joe Biden, Massachusetts senator John Kerry and Arizona senator John McCain will be among the speakers.
More than 40 senators are expected to be present at the funeral ceremony, along with three former presidents, Bill Clinton, George W Bush, and Jimmy Carter, CNN reported.
Prime minister Brian Cowen of Ireland, the famous clan's ancestral homeland, and British prime minister Gordon Brown are also expected to attend, a family spokesman said.
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