Washington Monument

[Jerry_Peg]

A little history lesson you may enjoy

I thought that you and others may like to see this. One
detail that is not mentioned, in DC, there can never be
a building of greater height than the Washington Monument.

With all the uproar about removing the ten commandments, etc...
This is worth a moment or two of your time. I was not
aware of this historical information.

On the aluminum cap, atop the Washington Monument in
Washington DC, are displayed two words: Laus Deo.
No one can see these words. In fact, most visitors to the
monument are totally unaware they are even there and for
that matter, probably couldn't care less.

Once you know Laus Deo's history, you will want to share
this with everyone you know. But these words have been
there for many years; they are 555 feet, 5.125 inches high,
perched atop 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.

Laus Deo! Two seemingly insignificant, un-noticed words.
Out of sight and, 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.

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!"

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. It took twenty five years to finally
cap the memorial with a tribute to the Father of our nation,
Laus Deo .......... ......Praise be to God!"

From atop this magnificent granite and marble structure,
visitors may take in the beautiful panoramic view of the
city with it's division into four major segments. From that
vantage point, one can also easily see the original plan
of the designer, Pierre Charles l'Enfant...a perfect cross
imposed upon the landscape, with the White House to the
north. The Jefferson Memorial is to the south, the Capitol
to the east and the Lincoln Memorial to the west.

A cross you ask ? Why a cross? What about separation
of church and state? Yes, a cross; separation of church
and state was not, is not, in the Constitution. So, read on .
How interesting and, no doubt, intended to carry a
profound meaning for those who bother to notice.

Praise be to God! Within the monument itself are 898
steps and 50 landings. As one climbs the steps and
pauses at the landings the memorial stones share a
message. On the 12th Landing is a prayer offered by the
City of Baltimore; on the 20th is a memorial presented
by some Chinese Christians; on the 24th a presentation
made by Sunday School children from New York and
Philadelphia quoting Proverbs 10:7, Luke 18:16 and
Proverbs 22:6. Praise be to God!

When the cornerstone of the Washington Monument was laid
on July 4th, 1848 deposited within it were many items
including the Holy Bible presented by the Bible Society.
Praise be to God! Such was the discipline, the moral
direction, and the spiritual mood given by the founder and
first President of our unique democracy ..."One Nation,
Under God."

I am awed by Washington's prayer for America. Have you
never read it? Well, now is your unique opportunity,
so read on!

"Almighty God; We make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt
keep the United States in Thy holy protection; that Thou wilt
incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of
subordination and obedience to government; and entertain
a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their
fellow citizens of the United states at large." And finally
that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us
all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves
with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which
were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed
religion, and without a humble imitation of whose example
in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation.
Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen."

Laus Deo!

When one stops to observe the inscriptions found in public
places all over our nation's capitol, he or she will easily
find the signature of God, as it is unmistakably inscribed
everywhere you look.

You may forget the width and height of "Laus Deo", it's
location, or the architects but no one who reads this will
be able to forget it's meaning, or these words: "Unless
the Lord builds the house its builders labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen
stand guard in vain." (Psalm 127: 1)

This is a lesson in American history that I don't recall in school.

[Jerry_Peg]

A little history lesson you may enjoy

I thought that you and others may like to see this. One
detail that is not mentioned, in DC, there can never be
a building of greater height than the Washington Monument.

With all the uproar about removing the ten commandments, etc...
This is worth a moment or two of your time. I was not
aware of this historical information.

On the aluminum cap, atop the Washington Monument in
Washington DC, are displayed two words: Laus Deo.
No one can see these words. In fact, most visitors to the
monument are totally unaware they are even there and for
that matter, probably couldn't care less.

Once you know Laus Deo's history, you will want to share
this with everyone you know. But these words have been
there for many years; they are 555 feet, 5.125 inches high,
perched atop 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.

Laus Deo! Two seemingly insignificant, un-noticed words.
Out of sight and, 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.

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!"

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. It took twenty five years to finally
cap the memorial with a tribute to the Father of our nation,
Laus Deo .......... ......Praise be to God!"

From atop this magnificent granite and marble structure,
visitors may take in the beautiful panoramic view of the
city with it's division into four major segments. From that
vantage point, one can also easily see the original plan
of the designer, Pierre Charles l'Enfant...a perfect cross
imposed upon the landscape, with the White House to the
north. The Jefferson Memorial is to the south, the Capitol
to the east and the Lincoln Memorial to the west.

A cross you ask ? Why a cross? What about separation
of church and state? Yes, a cross; separation of church
and state was not, is not, in the Constitution. So, read on .
How interesting and, no doubt, intended to carry a
profound meaning for those who bother to notice.

Praise be to God! Within the monument itself are 898
steps and 50 landings. As one climbs the steps and
pauses at the landings the memorial stones share a
message. On the 12th Landing is a prayer offered by the
City of Baltimore; on the 20th is a memorial presented
by some Chinese Christians; on the 24th a presentation
made by Sunday School children from New York and
Philadelphia quoting Proverbs 10:7, Luke 18:16 and
Proverbs 22:6. Praise be to God!

When the cornerstone of the Washington Monument was laid
on July 4th, 1848 deposited within it were many items
including the Holy Bible presented by the Bible Society.
Praise be to God! Such was the discipline, the moral
direction, and the spiritual mood given by the founder and
first President of our unique democracy ..."One Nation,
Under God."

I am awed by Washington's prayer for America. Have you
never read it? Well, now is your unique opportunity,
so read on!

"Almighty God; We make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt
keep the United States in Thy holy protection; that Thou wilt
incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of
subordination and obedience to government; and entertain
a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their
fellow citizens of the United states at large." And finally
that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us
all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves
with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which
were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed
religion, and without a humble imitation of whose example
in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation.
Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen."

Laus Deo!

When one stops to observe the inscriptions found in public
places all over our nation's capitol, he or she will easily
find the signature of God, as it is unmistakably inscribed
everywhere you look.

You may forget the width and height of "Laus Deo", it's
location, or the architects but no one who reads this will
be able to forget it's meaning, or these words: "Unless
the Lord builds the house its builders labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen
stand guard in vain." (Psalm 127: 1)

This is a lesson in American history that I don't recall in school.

[Doris]

Thank you. We have reservations for the last week of August in DC, and this will be given to our family members so we can keep this in mind as we visit DC.

[Sparky1]

Thank you so very much--
I appreciate the information
last time inside the washington monument 1986.

[Texas Bubba]

Once again we have a posting that is being passed around the internet for several years now. This is untrue according to snopes.com
The entire document posted here is verbatim from the snopes posting and each item is pointed out and discussed on http://www.snopes.com if you care to read it. This all sounds good, unfortunately it is wrong!

[Rich & Zara]

...or better still, the direct link to the story on Snopes.com can be read HERE

http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/monument.asp

[Doris]

Even reading snopes, it's very interesting and we'll be looking for some of those things pointed out, that are there. I would have missed a lot, thanks to the OP for posting this, and those who posted snopes..good to see it's not all a bunch of bunk.