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Interesting US History
A Website Devoted to Interesting Events in U.S. History

 

 
 

 

ON THIS DAY IN UNITED STATES HISTORY

October 9, 1888

The Washington Monument Officially Opens
to the General Public

On this day in 1888, the Washington Monument officially opened to the general public, almost four years after it was completed. The dedication which took place February 22, 1885 was attended by 800 people including current U.S. President Chester Arthur and Civil War hero General William Tecumseh Sherman.

Excavation for the foundation began in 1848 but construction was halted several times for everything from lack of funds to the American Civil War. When completed, the Washington Monument was the tallest building in the world and still remains the tallest stone structure in the world as well as the tallest building in Washington D.C.