Washington Monument is the most famous memorial and construction was begun in 1848.  The construction was finally  finished  in 1885, after 37 years.

• On 1854 work was put on hold due to lack of fund, an anti-immigrant, anti-Catholic activist group called the Know Nothings became angry that Pope Pius IX had donated a block of stone from the ancient Roman Temple of Concord for the monument. They confiscated the stone and then seized possession of the monument project.​​​ The monument was at about 150 feet high at this moment.

• Work resumed in 1879 under President Ulysses Grant.

• The original design for the monument was much different than what ended up being built.

• Robert Mills was the original designer and he designed the Washington memorial in Baltimore as well.​

• Plans for the monument began even before Washington was elected president.  As early as 1783 and well before Washington was elected President.​​

Cherry Trees came from Japan and are known there as "Sakura".  The first were planted in March 27, 1912.