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Who am I? A February history quiz.

By
Real Estate Agent with HomeSmart Realty West CalBRE #01458572

I was first proposed in 1783.

My plans weren't adopted until 1832.

My cornerstone was laid on July 4, 1848.

Political quarreling interrupted my construction several times in the 1850s.

My construction ceased entirely during the Civil War.

From 1859 to 1879, I sat undisturbed but only one-third completed.

I am made of marble from two different quarries, so my bottom third is slightly lighter than the rest of me.

I am now 555 feet, 5-1/8 inches tall, and nothing in my vicinity will ever be built taller. Why?

On December 6, 1884, a 100-ounce aluminum crown was placed on me. Why?

Some sources say that I was dedicated on this day in 1885. Other sources have me being dedicated on February 22, 1885, which would be more logical. Why?

I opened to the public on October 9, 1888.

When I was built, I was the tallest building in the world.

I am still the tallest stone structure in the world.

I have 897 steps and 50 landings, but you can no longer walk to the top of me. Why?

I was held hostage for ten hours on December 8, 1982. By whom, and why?

Comments (11)

Nu Nu
777S INC (Videos by Vegas Bob) - Las Vegas, NV

I have no idea Russel but it's very interesting!

Nu

Feb 21, 2010 03:11 AM
Eric J
Eric J - Dream Home Financing - Freehold, NJ
Dream Home Financing

The Washington Monument of course. 

Feb 21, 2010 03:12 AM
Retired from ActiveRain
Baker, OR

It sounds like you are talking about the Washington Monument - http://www.buzzle.com/articles/facts-about-the-washington-monument.html.

Feb 21, 2010 03:19 AM
Jennifer Fivelsdal
JFIVE Home Realty LLC | 845-758-6842|162 Deer Run Rd Red Hook NY 12571 - Rhinebeck, NY
Mid Hudson Valley real estate connection

Russel I like the way you wrote this, it was an interesting read.   I too think it is the Washington Monument.

Feb 21, 2010 03:36 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

It is the Washington Monument - but I don't recall it being held hostage?   Look forward to learning about that.  Fun story on Sunday Russell.

Feb 21, 2010 05:31 AM
Stephanie Reynolds
Integrity First Financial Group, Inc. - Santee, CA
East County San Diego Homes 619-838-4408

This is very interesting information. I guess I need to brush up on my history because I had no idea what you were talking about! I have never been to the Washington Monument. One of many places on my "To Go" list!

Feb 21, 2010 05:36 AM
Susan Neal
RE/MAX Gold, Fair Oaks - Fair Oaks, CA
Fair Oaks CA & Sacramento Area Real Estate Broker

Hi Russel - I knew what it was when you mentioned the height, because that was one of the answers to the presidential trivia quiz I posted on my blog on Presidents Day.  I won't put a link to it here because I don't think that's cricket, but it's a great quiz for history buffs.

Feb 21, 2010 06:00 AM
Mark Montross
Catamount Realty Group - Burlington, VT
Listing and Buyer Specialist

Hmmm, I never knew most of this information - thank you for enlightening me on this piece of history.

Mar 03, 2010 04:36 AM
Russel Ray, San Diego Business & Marketing Consultant & Photographer
Russel Ray - San Diego State University, CA

Hey, Folks.

Thanks for stopping by and commenting.

I have read all the comments, but since this post is rather old, rather than making comments here in my post to each and every one of you, I'll just let everyone know that I have read all the comments and if there are any questions, I'll answer those below. Otherwise I'll simply post this comment and then head over to your blogs soon to visit and do some reading and commenting. I hope you'll have a nice welcome mat out for me!

Don't forget to let your cat come out to play with all the other ActiveRain kitties. Your cat-friendly dogs can come, too!

If you need a great cat book, get yourself a copy of Peg Silloway's The Cat Lover's Book of Days.

Hope all is well with everyone.

Mar 27, 2010 02:00 PM
Russel Ray, San Diego Business & Marketing Consultant & Photographer
Russel Ray - San Diego State University, CA

Hey, Susan - You and all ActiveRain readers should feel free to post links to other ActiveRain blog posts as long as they open in a new window. What I don't allow are links to viagra, pornography, and similar spam.

Mar 27, 2010 02:01 PM
Anonymous
John Peterson

Great quiz. Lots of fun. You can learn more interesting facts about the George Washington Monument at Interesting Facts About the Washington Monument

Dec 17, 2010 09:46 AM
#11