The cornerstone of Washington, D.C.’s iconic Washington Monument was laid in 1848 and its construction was completed on 6th December, 1884. A lack of funding and the Civil War led to the 36-year slowdown. Shaped like an Egyptian obelisk, the monument stands 555 feet 5 1/8 inches tall with a 55-foot width and was built in honor of George Washington’s leadership in winning the United States her independence. It is also the tallest structure in Washington, D.C. and a major tourist destination, attracting more than 800,000 people each year.
The Washington Monument’s Aluminum Pyramid
The pyramid that caps the Washington Monument is 9-inches long and is composed of 100 ounces of solid aluminum. The pyramid, itself, has very interesting history behind it. It is believed to have been displayed at Tiffany’s jewelry store in New York before its installation on the monument. Aluminum, considered a very rare metal in the 1880’s, sold for $1.10 per ounce and was used in the manufacture of jewelry.
