Washington Monument: Difference between revisions
Truthseeker (talk | contribs) Created page with "{{Infobox US topic | topic = Washington Monument | image = Washington_Monument_Reflecting_Pool.jpg | caption = The Washington Monument seen from the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool | category = Monuments and Memorials }} The '''Washington Monument''' is a towering **obelisk** located on the **National Mall** in **Washington, D.C.**, built to honor **George Washington**, the first President of the United States and Commander of the Continental Army during the American Re..." |
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* The aluminum capstone at the top was a technological marvel at the time | * The aluminum capstone at the top was a technological marvel at the time | ||
* No building in Washington, D.C. is allowed to be taller than the monument | * No building in Washington, D.C. is allowed to be taller than the monument | ||
* The monument aligns with the | * The monument aligns with the '''Capitol''', '''White House''', and '''Lincoln Memorial''' in a straight line | ||
== See Also == | == See Also == | ||
Revision as of 16:30, 21 July 2025
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The Washington Monument is a towering **obelisk** located on the **National Mall** in **Washington, D.C.**, built to honor **George Washington**, the first President of the United States and Commander of the Continental Army during the American Revolution.
History
- Designed by architect **Robert Mills** in the 1840s
- Construction began in **1848**, halted due to funding issues and the Civil War, and resumed in the 1870s
- Completed on **December 6, 1884**, and officially dedicated in **1885**
- Opened to the public in **1888**
Design and Dimensions
- A **555-foot (169 m)** tall white marble obelisk — the **tallest stone structure** and **tallest obelisk** in the world
- Constructed with **marble**, **granite**, and **bluestone gneiss**
- The slight color change halfway up reflects the gap in construction years
Interior and Observation Deck
- Contains an **elevator** and a **staircase** with 897 steps (usually closed to the public)
- Visitors can access an **observation deck** at the top for panoramic views of D.C., including:
- **Lincoln Memorial** - **Capitol Building** - **White House**
- Inside walls contain over **190 commemorative stones** donated by states and civic groups
Symbolism
- Represents the nation's respect for George Washington's leadership and integrity
- Its placement and height symbolize the central role of the presidency and Washington’s foundational legacy
Restoration and Preservation
- Damaged in the **2011 Virginia earthquake** and closed for repairs until 2014
- Underwent further renovations for elevator modernization and reopened in **2019**
Fun Facts
- The aluminum capstone at the top was a technological marvel at the time
- No building in Washington, D.C. is allowed to be taller than the monument
- The monument aligns with the Capitol, White House, and Lincoln Memorial in a straight line