We recently had a rare earthquake in Washington . We are use to snow , rain , hot summers and Congress but never snow. People really did not know what to do. Should they run out into the street. Stay in buildings . Should the government shutdown and cause a major terrific jam. Of course we did all of those thing plus the earthquake damaged the Washington Monument. The Washington Monument construction was in 1848. with the lack of money and political disagreements construction was stopped in 1854 at the 150 foot mark.In 1876 the Army corps of engineers was given the task of completing the monument. 
Stone for the monument comes the states of Maryland and Massachusetts. It weighs 90,854tons and 555feet5/8tall. Inside the monument there are 189 memorial stones. Each stone was 4 feet long 2 feet high 18 inches in dept. . The first stone donated was from Alabama.There are 36,491 blocks that make up the monument.The walls are made of white marble .The total cost of the monument was 1 million dollars. If it were built today it would cost $21 million dollars.In 1901 an electric elevator was installed. The top of the Washington Monument is made out of aluminum. The top was stolen by political rebels causing a fire storm in America
If you would like to go to the top of the Monument you must obtain a ticket at the ticket booth at the monument or get your ticket online.I would advise you to get your ticket online especially if you are visiting Washington DC in the spring or summer. The lines are often long and you should be in line by 6:30am. Each person can pick up four tickets . A licensed tour guide can obtain 50 tickets for groups.
