WASHINGTON, DC — Towering 554 feet above the National Mall in Washington DC, the Washington Monument commemorates George Washington, the first president of the United States. After a decades-long construction project, it was completed in 1884. It was shaped as an Egyptian-style obelisk, and its thick marble walls encase an elevator and long spiral staircase that provides access to small chambers at the top. Fifty American flags ring its base.
The Washington Monument is an emblematic structure located on the National Mall in Washington DC, standing in honor of George Washington, the first president of the United States and a leading figure in the American Revolution. Designed as an obelisk and completed in the late 19th century, it remains one of the most recognizable monuments globally and is the tallest stone structure and obelisk in the world. Made predominantly of marble, granite, and bluestone gneiss, its construction began in 1848 but faced several interruptions, resulting in a visible change in the marble's color approximately one-third of the way up. This color variance tells a silent story of the monument's history, with its completion finally achieved in 1884. A notable feature of the structure is the presence of commemorative stones donated by various organizations, states, and countries, which are embedded within its walls. The monument stands on federal land overseen by the National Park Service. Its location offers sweeping views of the Capitol, Lincoln Memorial, and other key landmarks on the National Mall. It serves not just as a tribute to George Washington's significant contributions, but also as a symbol of the nation's aspirations and enduring respect for its foundational values. Tourists and nationals alike flock to this iconic structure, either viewing it from the ground or taking an elevator to its top, where the entirety of the District of Columbia unfurls beneath, providing a unique perspective of the nation's capital.
Size: 9504px × 6336px
Location: Washington Monument, Washington DC, District of Columbia, United States
Photo credit: © David Coleman | Have Camera Will Travel / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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