The aluminum tip is placed on the top of the Washington Monument. It was the tallest building in the world upon its completion in 1884, standing 555 feet, 5.125 inches. To Great Heights. By a joint resolution passed on July 5, 1876, Congress assumed the duty of funding and building the Washington Monument. read more
Plans for the monument began even before Washington was elected president. In 1783, the Continental Congress voted to erect a statue of Washington, commander-in-chief of the American army during the Revolutionary War, in the nation’s yet-to-be constructed permanent capital city. read more