The Washington Monument is a landmark in Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States, and was built in honor of George Washington, the first president of the United States. It is the tallest stone building in the world and the tallest obelisk, standing at 169 meters, towering over the heart of the National Mall, alongside other historic buildings such as the Capitol, the White House, the Lincoln Memorial and the Jefferson Memorial.
If you look closely at this obelisk, you'll see that it has two colors of wall tiles, starting at a height of 150 feet and becoming darker in color. This is because the construction of this monument was not easy, it experienced many interruptions and delays, resulting in the use of marble from different quarries, time and weather erosion also caused color differences.
An ambitious design
The idea for the Washington Monument dates back to 1791, when French architect Pierre Charles Langfang devised a city plan for the newly built capital, which included the construction of a "statue or column of George Washington" in front of the Capitol. However, for political and financial reasons, this plan did not materialize.
It wasn't until 1833 that some patriots formed the Washington National Memorial Society and began raising funds and soliciting designs. In 1848, after choosing Robert Mills' design, they began construction work. Mills is a renowned architect who has designed many public buildings in Washington, DC. His design is an Egyptian-style obelisk 180 meters high, with a circular colonnade at the base surrounded by 30 columns and a statue of George Washington. The design was designed to showcase Washington's importance and prestige in American history.
A difficult process
Building this monument is not as simple as it seems. The association faces the problem of insufficient funding. They can only rely on donations from the public and limit donations to a maximum of one dollar per person. They also decided to accept as gifts commemorative stones from states, cities, groups and individuals and set on the inner walls of the obelisk.
The association faces political and social interference. In 1853, some members of the Ignorant Party, an anti-immigrant and anti-Catholic political organization, took control of the leadership of the association through illegal elections and tried to change the design and management of the monument. They also rejected some non-American memorial stones and used inferior marble to save costs. This caused public and congressional discontent, leading to a decline in donations and support.
A successful completion
For the next 22 years, the obelisk stood alone on the National Mall like an unfinished stone column. It wasn't until 1876, to celebrate the centenary of American independence, that Congress decided to allocate funds to complete the monument. They entrusted the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers with the project and appointed Colonel Thomas Lincoln Casey as chief engineer and architect. Casey faced a huge challenge: how to continue construction without destroying the existing structure and ensure the stability and aesthetics of the obelisk.
Casey took a series of steps to address these issues. He first reinforced the foundation and dug it to a depth of 36.5 meters to bear the weight of the obelisk. He then abandoned Mills' original colonnade design, arguing that it was too complex and expensive, and would distract from the obelisk's visual effects. He also redesigned the body of the obelisk according to the proportions of ancient Egypt and tried to find marble that was similar in color to the original. Due to the influence of time and weather, he could not match the colors exactly, and could only minimize the difference. Finally, he installed a spire made of aluminum, one of the most expensive metals of the time, on top of the obelisk, symbolizing the glory and honor of Washington.
After more than eight years of work, the obelisk was finally completed on December 6, 1884, and opened to the public in 1888. It instantly became one of the most popular and awe-inspiring attractions in Washington, DC and the nation. Millions of people take elevators or climb stairs each year to reach the observation deck for breathtaking views of Washington, DC.
A symbol of eternity
The Washington Monument is not just a building, it's a symbol. It symbolizes democracy and freedom in the United States and the critical role George Washington played in establishing and defending these values. It also symbolizes the unity and dedication of the American people and their efforts and sacrifices to complete this memorial. It also symbolizes American innovation and progress, as well as its leadership and influence in the world.
The Washington Monument is one of the most famous national monuments in the United States. It has undergone several restorations and transformations to adapt to the changing times and the needs of visitors. It has also withstood many natural and man-made disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, terrorist attacks, etc., but it has always stood tall and maintained its dignity and charm.
If you have the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C., don't miss a visit to this color-splitting obelisk, which will make you feel the wonderfulness and depth of American history, and will also make you know and empathize with the hopes and dreams of America's future.