The Washington Monument is an obelisk on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., built to commemorate George Washington, a Founding Father of the United States, victorious commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783 in the American Revolutionary War, and the first President of the United States from ...

The most famous obelisk in the United States is undoubtedly the Washington Monument, located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Standing at exactly 555 feet, 5 1/8 inches (169 meters), it was the tallest structure in the world when it was completed in 1884 (before being surpassed by the Eiffel Tower). The monument is made of marble, granite, and bluestone gneiss. A unique visual feature of the obelisk is the slight color change about one-third of the way up; this is because construction was halted for 25 years during the Civil War and a lack of funding, and when it resumed, the marble was sourced from a different quarry. It is also the world's tallest "predominantly stone" structure and the tallest obelisk ever built. Guests can take an elevator to the observation deck at the 500-foot level for a panoramic view of the capital. Beyond its architectural significance, it serves as a powerful symbol of the founding of the United States and the leadership of George Washington, appearing in the background of countless historical events and cinematic depictions of the city.