The Washington Monument was completed in 1884 in Washington, D.C.
The obelisk honors George Washington, the Continental Army commander and first U.S. president. Architect Robert Mills designed it, and construction began with a ceremonial cornerstone on July 4, 1848. Work stopped in 1854 after funding problems and political disputes, leaving the unfinished structure visibly shorter than its planned design.
Construction resumed in 1877 under the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Because the original quarry was no longer available, the upper section used marble that differs subtly in color from the lower section. The monument was topped out on December 6, 1884, and officially dedicated in 1885.
At about 555 feet, it was the world’s tallest structure from 1884 until the Eiffel Tower surpassed it in 1889. It remains one of the most recognizable landmarks on the National Mall. The Washington Monument is an example of how national memorial projects can span multiple generations.