The Washington Monument

You’re looking at one of the city’s many iconic landmarks: the Washington Monument,built in honour of George Washington, the first President of the United States. He was elected in 1789 after playing a key role in the American Revolution. He even helped draft the Constitution, which is one of the oldest still in use today. But first, a little history lesson. The United States declared its independence on July 4, 1776, after the war between Great Britain and the Thirteen American Colonies. Before becoming the United States of America, the North American territories were colonised by the British, who established what became known during the 17th century as the Thirteen Colonies . Among them were New York, Virginia, and Georgia, who were at the heart of the war and the push for independence. The living conditions in the colonies were incredibly poor , so when Great Britain imposed new taxes, it was the last straw. It wasn’t just the British who lived here, but there were also German, Swiss, Dutch, and French settlers, all of which had no allegiance whatsoever to the British Crown. Add to this the gradual development of an American identity among those born there, and the Revolutionary War erupted. George Washington was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, which represented the Thirteen Colonies. He united soldiers from each colony and led them to victory. The independence of the United States was proclaimed in 1776, the Constitution was approved in 1787 and implemented from 1789, when George Washington was elected the first president of the country.
The monument in front of you is a powerful symbol, not only for Washington D.C., but for the entire country, paying tribute to the man who founded the United States. The construction of this 169-meter-tall obelisk began in 1848 but was suspended for several years due to a lack of funding. Finally completed in 1885, it was, at the time the tallest structure in the world. A record quickly surpassed by the Eiffel Tower in 1889. Despite this, the Washington Monument remains one of the city’s must-see landmarks. After all, the capital itself is named after this founding father, who left a lasting mark on American history! You can even go to the top of the monument for a stunning view over the National Mall and its impressive landmarks. To do this, be sure to book your tickets well in advance, or check for spare tickets the day before your visit.