Take the Ultimate Washington Monument Quiz

Take this 14-question, multiple-choice challenge to learn about the history of one of the United States’ most recognizable monuments on the National Mall.

Where is the Washington Monument located?
1892 illustration of the Washington Monument and grounds (Courtesy: Library of Congress)
Seattle, Washington
Mt. Vernon, Virginia
Washington, DC
None of the above

Correct!

Wrong!

In 1783, Congress of the Confederation called for what kind of monument to George Washington?
John Trumbull painting of General George Washington Resigning His Commission: depicts George Washington's resignation as commander-in-chief of the Army to the Congress, which was then meeting at the Maryland State House in Annapolis, on December 23, 1783. (Courtesy: Architect of the Capitol)
A triumphal arch
An equestrian statue
An American university
A bridge in the capital city

Correct!

Wrong!

Who won the 1836 design competition for the Washington Monument?
The Washington National Monument, in the city of Washington base of the Pantheon, 250 feet diameter. Height, 100 feet. Height of obelisk, 500 feet. The loftiest monument on earth to a nation's greatest benefactor. (Courtesy: Library of Congress)
Samuel Sloan
Frank Lloyd Wright
Robert Mills
Thomas U. Walter

Correct!

Wrong!

Who sponsored the public design competition for the Washington Monument?
Washington National Monument Society Donation Certificate (Couresty: Library of Congress)
Congress
Washington’s widow Martha Washington
President John Adams
Washington National Monument Society

Correct!

Wrong!

What holds the marble blocks in place?
Washington Monument
Washington Monument
Gravity and friction
Steel screws
Mortar
Platinum-laced threading

Correct!

Wrong!

The cap at the top of the Washington Monument is made of what material?
National Bureau of Standards engineer William M. Greig (left) and an unidentified man examine the tip and lighting rods at the top of the Washington Monument in 1934. (Courtesy: Library of Congress)
Brass
Gold
Aluminum
Silver

Correct!

Wrong!

Choose the correct fact about the Washington Monument.
The Washington Monument and Jefferson Memorial are seen at dusk behind the the South Lawn Fountain of the White House, Oct. 22, 2009. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)
The Washington Monument and Jefferson Memorial are seen at dusk behind the the South Lawn Fountain of the White House, Oct. 22, 2009. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)
Until the 1890s, the Potomac River flowed near its base
It was never completed as designed
It is the world's tallest stone structure
All of the above

Correct!

Wrong!

How tall is the Washington Monument?
An aerial view of the National Mall in Washington, D.C., showing the Lincoln Memorial at the bottom, the Washington Monument at center, and the U.S. Capitol at the top. (Courtesy U.S. Navy)
An aerial view of the National Mall in Washington, D.C., showing the Lincoln Memorial at the bottom, the Washington Monument at center, and the U.S. Capitol at the top. (Courtesy U.S. Navy)
555 feet
666 feet
1,776 feet
5,280 feet

Correct!

Wrong!

Which of the following is NOT a reason the construction of the Washington Monument was halted from 1854 to 1877?
Print shows the incomplete monument in Washington, D.C., with construction underway. (Courtesy: Library of Congress)
A lack of funds
Death of the lead architect
A struggle for control over the Washington National Monument Society
The Civil War

Correct!

Wrong!

What original design element was eliminated after engineer Thomas Casey took over construction in 1878?
Excavation south-east corner Buttress Foundation, Washington Monument. December 15th 1879 (Courtesy: Library of Congress)
A colonnade surrounding the base
A statue of George Washington in a chariot
Statues and paintings of Revolutionary War heroes
All of the above

Correct!

Wrong!

When and why were the aluminum flagpoles added around the base?
American Flags at the Washington Monument Plaza (Courtesy: National Park Service)
1918 to mark the end of World War I
1945 to celebrate the end of World War II
1958 to symbolize the 50 states at the height of the Cold War
None of the above

Correct!

Wrong!

Which US President presided over the dedication on February 21, 1885?
Abraham Lincoln
Chester A. Arthur
Ulysses S. Grant
Theodore Roosevelt

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Wrong!

Which building overtook the Washington Monument as the tallest structure in the world in 1889.
Washington Monument (Courtesy: Library of Congress)
Sears Tower
Cologne Cathedral
Strasbourg Cathedral
Eiffel Tower

Correct!

Wrong!

What year was the steam-powered elevator replaced by an electric-powered one?
Elevator shaft of Washington Monument, Washington, D.C. (Courtesy: Library of Congress)
1865
1885
1901
1944

Correct!

Wrong!

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