![]() ![]() a perfect cross imposed upon the landscape, with the White House to the North. From that vantage point, one can also easily see the original plan of the designer, Pierre Charles l' Enfant. It took twenty five years to finally cap the memorial with a tribute to the Father of our nation,įrom atop this magnificent granite and marble structure, visitors may take in the beautiful panoramic view of the city with its division into four major segments. Though construction of this giant obelisk began in 1848, when James Polk was President of the United States, it was not until 1888 that the monument was inaugurated and opened to the public. So, what do those two words, in Latin, composed of just four syllables and only seven letters, possibly mean? Very simply, they say "Praise be to God!" one might think, out of mind, but very meaningfully placed at the highest point over what is the most powerful city in the most successful nation in the world. Laus Deo! Two seemingly insignificant, unnoticed words. ![]() But these words have been there for many years they are 555 feet, 5.125 inches high, perched on top of the monument, facing skyward to the Father of our nation, overlooking the 69 square miles which comprise the District of Columbia, capital of the United States of America. You will want to share this with everyone you know. In fact, most visitors to the monument are totally unaware they are even there and for that matter, probably couldn't care less. On the aluminum cap, atop the Washington Monument in Washington, DC, are displayed two words: Laus Deo. I was not aware of this historical information. With all the uproar about removing the Ten Commandments, etc., this is worth a moment or two of your time. One detail that is not mentioned, in DC, is that there can never be a building of greater height than the Washington Monument. LAUS DEO: A little history lesson you may enjoy.
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