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The Washington Monument is a memorial dedicated to the most important icon and founding father of America, George Washington. This Egyptian obelisk-shaped structure was completed in 1884 with a height of 555 feet and 5.125 inches, surpassing that of Cologne Cathedral in Germany. By 1889, the monument was replaced as the tallest edifice in the world by the 984-foot Eiffel Tower.

See the fact file below for more information on Washington Monument or download the BUMPER 22 worksheet pack which can be utilized within the classroom or home environment.

BRIEF BACKGROUND 

  • The Washington Monument stands at the heart of the nation’s capital, Washington DC, towering over nearby buildings.
  • It is the emblem of one of the most decisive presidents the United States has ever had, commemorating George Washington, referred to as the ‘Father of his country’ and the first President of the United States from 1789 to 1797. 
  • The obelisk is considered the tallest free-standing masonry in the world, at 555 feet in height and weighing 91,000 tons. North of the structure lies the official residence of the President of the United States, the White House, and to the West is the seat of the legislative branch of the federal government, the US Capitol. These are both visible from the pinnacle and observatory of the monument.
  • The construction of the monument underwent two phases; the first was from 1848 to 1854 under the supervision of a private organization called the Washington National Monument Society and the second was from 1876 to 1884 by the US Army Corps of Engineers which was led by Lieutenant Col. Thomas Lincoln Casey.
  • This turnaround in the organization in charge of the development is apparent in the stones used for the monument: 2/3 of the upper monument is a lighter shade of stone compared to the lower third. This was due to the different sources of quarrying in the two phases of development. 
  • The monument boasts a stark obelisk structure on the outside and an interior full of carvings of individuals, cities, states, etc. Atop the aluminum cap of the monument is an inscribed Latin phrase, “Laus Deo” which directly means “Praise be to God”.  

DEVELOPMENT OF THE MONUMENT

  • The planning to construct a monument to commemorate the bravery of and show respect for the late George Washington started in 1783 by the Continental Congress. The congress delegates initially decided to make a statue of the former president on horseback on the site where the tower currently resides. In 1791, Pierre-Charles L’Enfant designed the site where the initial statue would be erected. However, political problems like bureaucratic inertia left the plan unaccomplished. 
  • By 1833, the same idea was revived under the supervision of the Washington National Monument Society, which aimed to construct a memorial for the centennial of Washington’s birth. Following this initiative was the proposal for the design, by Robert Mills in 1845. His initial plan was for a 600-foot Egyptian obelisk with 30 columns having an individual height of 100 feet. Three years after the proposed design, the initial construction for the structure began. 
  • Several issues delayed the construction of the edifice such as the bankruptcy of the funds from the Washington National Monument Society, the death of Robert Mills, and the American Civil War which began in 1861. 
  • In 1876, a joint resolution was made for the resumption of the project, which was assumed by the US Army Corps of Engineers, then led by Lt. Col. Thomas Lincoln Casey. 
  • New improvements were made in the first phase of the construction, such as the enhancement of the structure’s base. This second development caused a reevaluation of the design made by Mills, wherein from the proposed 600 feet, Casey made it 555 feet and discarded other adornments, focusing on a more simplified structure.
  • This refinement made the construction process faster, and it was finished in 1884. Other restorations were made later, such as the replacement of the steam-powered engine elevator with an electric one in 1901, followed by the restoration in 1934 amidst the Depression Era public works project under President Franklin Roosevelt.

GEORGE WASHINGTON

  • George Washington, labeled as the ‘Father of his country’ and one of the United States’ founding fathers, was born on February 22, 1732 in Westmoreland County, Virginia to a planter family. 
  • At a young age, he served as a surveyor of lands and had a particular interest in western expansion and military arts.   
  • He married a widow named Martha Dandridge Custis in 1759. 
  • The couple, along with Martha’s children from her deceased husband, lived in George’s five-farm estate called Mount Vernon. 
  • His first battle was during the French and Indian Wars in 1754, which occurred in Northern America from 1688 to 1763. During his service as a Virginian delegate on the Second Continental Congress, he was elected as the commander in chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolution from 1775 to 1783, as they achieved a victory against British rule. 
  • Washington presided over the revision of the first constitution of the United States, the Articles of Confederation, in a Conventional Constitution that happened in Philadelphia in 1787. 
  • After the ratification of the revised constitution, he was elected as the first president of the nation and took his oath of office on April 30, 1789. 
  • He is still the only president to have garnered a unanimous vote from the electoral college and run for the highest position without a political party. 
  • His leadership as a president set the tone for integrity, national purpose, and strength in how future presidents of the United States would lead the country. One of his clear legacies was when he added the famous phrase “so help me God” during his inauguration, followed by successive presidents. His term of office was about abolishing all European and royal traditions left during British rule. 
  • After serving for two terms, he retired to Mount Vernon with his loving wife and children. Two years after his retirement in 1797, he got a cold which later developed into a throat infection. On December 14, 1799, he passed away. 
  • His excellence, bravery, and legacy for the foundation of the nation made him a national hero and an inspiration for many. To this day, he is remembered through the name of the US capital, appearing on US dollars and coins, and the construction of the Washington Monument.

Washington Monument Worksheets

This BUMPER bundle includes over 22 ready-to-use Washington Monument worksheets that are perfect for students to learn about the Washington Monument, a memorial dedicated to the most important icon and founding father of America, George Washington.

Worksheet Pack 1:

This download includes the following worksheets:

  • Washington Monument Facts 
  • Washington’s Legacy
  • Timeline of Development 
  • Reflection Time!
  • Complete the Path
  • Essay It! 
  • Find the Missing Word
  • Travel Blog
  • Washington Search 
  • Cloze Sheet
  • Exhibit 

Worksheet Pack 2

This download includes the following worksheets:

      • Washington Monument Facts
      • Monument in DC
      • Washington Who?
      • Washington Monument FAQs
      • More Questions
      • Tell Me More
      • Other Monuments
      • Two Obelisks
      • Redesigning
      • Defining Elements
      • Invitation to Washington, DC

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the stone different on the Washington Monument?

The stones on the Monument were originally the same color. However, over time the environment has caused them to age differently. This means that now we can see a distinct difference in stone colors on the Monument.

What is on the very top of the Washington Monument?

The 100-pound solid aluminum pyramid, which comes to a point at the top of the structure as it narrows, serves as part of the monument’s lightning protection system. Aluminum was a scarce metal in the 1880s and was valued at $1.10 per ounce.

Can you go up inside the Washington Monument?

Yes! The Washington DC monument is open to guests, although tickets are required for entry. Climb to the top of the obelisk for a stunning view of the cityscape day or night!

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Link will appear as Washington Monument Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, September 7, 2022

Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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