Washington Monument
By Samuel Siberell and Senthoor K.
History of the Washington Monument
The Washington Monument was originally supposed to be a statue of George Washington, the idea came from the city architect Charles L'Enfant and the idea was dismissed, but years later, Congress and the people decided that a monument to Washington was in order so they started building the obelisk. The Washington Monument has survived an earthquake but has just recently re-opened after repairs for damage it did sustain from the sifting earth.
Description of the Washington Monument
The Washington Monument is a 555 ft. tall obelisk shaped structure close to 15th street and the Tidal Basin which is Washington D.C.'s trademark body of water, also the Washington Monument was based off of Egyptian Obelisks. After a short time the Monument was bought by the Know Nothings and the construction was ceased. After the Civil War though, the Washington Monument construction was continued by president Ulysses S. Grant and construction was continued by the U.S. Army Engineers.
Washington Monument
Washington Monument
(with reflecting pool)
Eygiptian Obelisk
Importance of the Washington Monument
The Washington Monument is a 555 ft. stone obelisk, even though it is so simple it is elegant and beautiful and it does, in a way demonstrate our government where something so simple as a right to vote can become something so complex as our United States government.