Everything Everywhere Daily — "The Washington Monument"

Host: Gary Arndt
Date: September 23, 2025

Main Theme

In this episode, Gary Arndt explores the story behind the creation of the Washington Monument—how efforts to honor George Washington began immediately after his death but faced decades of challenges and changes before the iconic obelisk we know today finally stood completed. Arndt details the monument’s turbulent path from conception to realization, touching on the personalities, historical currents, and symbolism shaping its evolution.

Key Points & Insights

1. Early National Reverence for George Washington

• After Washington's death in 1799, Americans sought meaningful ways to memorialize him as the "father of their country."
• Washington was unique: “He was literally the only person to be elected unanimously by the Electoral College, and he did so twice. Then, after being made the most powerful man in the country, he voluntarily again stepped away from power, which established a precedent that lasted for 150 years.” (03:08)
• Washington was often compared to Cincinnatus—a nod to his civic virtue in relinquishing power. (03:26)

2. Initial Monument Plans Centered on the Capitol

• The Continental Congress first resolved in 1783 to create an equestrian statue for Washington.
• Pierre L’Enfant, in 1791, reserved a site at the symbolic heart of his city plan.
• After Washington’s death:
  • Congress resolved to inter his remains under a marble monument in the yet-to-be-finished Capitol Rotunda, creating a crypt and tomb (06:00–07:00).
  • Martha Washington consented, but the transfer never occurred, per Washington’s will to be buried at Mount Vernon.

3. Failed Congressional Plans & Complications

• Vandalism at Mount Vernon in 1830 accelerated the family’s decision to secure Washington’s body there instead (09:10).
• After repeated Congressional attempts through the early 1800s, the plan for a Capitol tomb collapsed.

4. Private Citizen Initiative & Monument Society

• In 1833, the Washington National Monument Society was formed to take over where Congress had failed (10:00).
• Raised funds democratically, accepting donations as small as $1, so "every American could have ownership in honoring Washington" (12:58).

5. Architectural Visions and Evolving Designs

• 1845: Robert Mills’ elaborate neoclassical design won the competition, calling for “the current obelisk, but surrounded by a massive circular colonnade… statues of Washington and other Revolutionary War heroes… classic temple-like structure… 600ft high.” (12:12)
• Reflected American architects’ desire to link the new republic to ancient Greece and Rome.
• Some citizens advocated for a more practical or more modest structure more in line with Washington’s character.

6. Construction Challenges & Political Turmoil

• Work began in 1848; the project soon encountered obstacles and funding shortfalls.
• 1854: The anti-Catholic "Know Nothing" party seized control, prompting a national scandal when they destroyed a commemorative marble block sent by Pope Pius IX (16:42).
  • “They actually stole and destroyed the papal stone, throwing the pieces into the Potomac River.”
  • Notable: John Paul II donated a new stone in 1982, installed at the 300-foot level.
• Funding dried up, and construction halted at 152 feet, leaving the unfinished obelisk as a visible emblem of national discord for over 20 years.

7. Federal Intervention and Final Completion

• 1876: With the American Centennial, Congress allocated funds. The Army Corps of Engineers, under Lt. Col. Thomas Casey, addressed the weakened foundation and engineering difficulties (20:00).
• The elaborate Mills scheme was abandoned in favor of a plain obelisk, reflecting changing American tastes—“the simple obelisk actually proved more powerful than Mills' busy original concept...” (21:40).
• Interior filled with over 190 commemorative stones from states, organizations, and foreign governments, turning it into a “national gallery of inscriptions and materials.”

8. Dedication & Legacy

• December 6, 1884: The marble capstone was placed, topped with a 100-ounce aluminum pyramid (“Laus Deo”—Praise God) (24:50).
• The monument reached 555 ft 5 1/8 inches—tallest in the world until 1889.
• Original placement shifted from L’Enfant’s prime axis due to soil instability; marked today by the Jefferson Pier (27:08).
• Electrified in 1901, with further upgrades and the reflecting pool added during construction of the Lincoln Memorial.
• Underwent major restorations in 1998–2000s and post-2011 earthquake.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Unanimous Election:
  “He was literally the only person to be elected unanimously by the Electoral College, and he did so twice. Then, after being made the most powerful man in the country, he voluntarily again stepped away from power.” (03:08)

• On American Cincinnatus:
  “His willingness to step away from power earned him the nickname the American Cincinnatus, and after the ancient Roman who retired to his farm after being given the power of a dictator.” (03:26)

• On the Populist Funding Model:
  “The Monument Society organized elaborate fundraising campaigns, asking for contributions as small as $1 to make the project truly national in scope. This democratic approach to fundraising was revolutionary…” (12:58)

• On the Know Nothings’ Vandalism:
  “They actually stole and destroyed the papal stone, throwing the pieces into the Potomac River.” (16:47)

• On Construction as a Symbol of Division:
  “For over 20 years, the unfinished monument stood as a stark reminder of the nation’s division. You can actually see colored bands in the completed obelisk that marked the periods where construction resumed with different stone from different sources.” (18:30)

• On American Taste & The Final Obelisk:
  “The simple obelisk actually proved more powerful than Mills' busy original concept, creating an unadorned monument that lets Washington’s memory speak for itself.” (21:40)

• On Its Symbolism Then and Now:
  “The Washington Monument has become one of the iconic symbols of the city of Washington, D.C., yet its path to icon status was a long one… Construction took decades to start and was paused for decades more before its final completion, but the end result is a monument to the man who was primarily responsible for the independence of the United States.” (32:12)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Washington’s Unique Status & Early Memorial Plans: 03:00–07:00
• The Empty Tomb under the Capitol: 07:00–10:00
• Private Efforts and Mills’ Winning Design: 10:00–13:00
• Know Nothing Party Controversy & Funding Collapse: 16:30–18:30
• Federal Rescue and Simplification: 20:00–22:00
• Completion and Symbolic Details (Aluminum Capstone, etc.): 24:50–26:00
• Placement and Later Developments (Lincoln Memorial, reflecting pool, restorations, earthquake repairs): 27:08–32:00

Summary

Gary Arndt’s episode provides a vivid, detail-rich narrative of how the Washington Monument not only honors America’s foremost founding figure but functions as a lens through which to view the evolution of American identity, politics, and collective memory. From early grand dreams through political scandal and engineering feats, to the austere obelisk that towers over the capital today, the Washington Monument’s story is one of perseverance, symbolism, and national unity—ultimately, "a monument to the man who was primarily responsible for the independence of the United States." (32:12)