Of all the Founding Fathers of the United States, George Washington
is one of the most recognizable. Grade school students are taught that Washington was the first president and that President’s Day is celebrated each year around the day of his birth, Feb. 22. Ironically, though, Washington didn’t sign the Declaration of Independence, largely because he was busy fighting for it as the leader of the Continental Army. The young nation faced dizzying odds, but Washington and his soldiers persevered and the United States has thrived for more than 200 years. Washington became a hero after the war, and today his name graces everything from our nation’s capital city to streets to communities across the country. There is even a state named after him. Among the most famous landmarks is the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C.
Looming above the White House and United States Capitol, the stone monument is a source of national pride. Here are some interesting facts about the monument.
- At 555 feet, the monument was the tallest structure in the world when it was completed in 1884, according to the National Park Service.
- The base of the monument is encircled by 50 United States flags, representing the 50 states.
- Three different types of marble were used in the structure: Cockeyesville, Sheffield and Texas marble.
- The marble pyramid at the top of the monument weighs 300 tons, per the National Park Service.
- There are 193 commemorative stones inlaid in the interior walls of the monument, gifts from individuals, cities, states and countries as a token of appreciation for George Washington, the National Park Service notes.
- Visitors can use an elevator to ascend to the top of the monument for a stunning view of the District of Columbia.
Visiting the Washington Monument never gets tiring. Have you experienced this iconic United States landmark?