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Hi, Kids! Wanna know why the Washington Monument changes colors midway up?
Once upon a time, there was a Political Party that hated immigration, and ran stuff into the ground.
No, not THAT one. Another one. The Know Nothing Party.
Once upon a time, there was a Political Party that hated immigration, and ran stuff into the ground.
No, not THAT one. Another one. The Know Nothing Party.
So in the 1850s, the Know Nothings felt immigration was a threat to “native” Americans, by whom they meant White Anglo-Saxon Protestants.
They also opposed Catholics, who they felt were loyal to a foreign king, the Pope.
They also opposed Catholics, who they felt were loyal to a foreign king, the Pope.
Now in the 1850s, folks were building the Washington Monument. The project was controlled by a non-Governmental “society” using donations from the public. They accepted both cash donations… and stones.
Stones came from all over. Including from the Vatican. The Pope sent a marble stone that was once part of a Roman Temple. On it was inscribed “From Rome, To America”.
The Know Nothings were incensed. George Washington, Father Of The Nation, had opposed a King. Having a stone from another – The Baba King Of Foreigners – in his monument was to them an unacceptable insult.
So 9 No Nothings stormed the building site at night, and stole the Pope’s Stone.|
Nobody is sure if they overpowered the guard, or he helped them*.
*All similarities to any party, storming, or guards are entirely coincidental.
Nobody is sure if they overpowered the guard, or he helped them*.
*All similarities to any party, storming, or guards are entirely coincidental.
The Know Nothings milked the controversy, but also got more involved in the Monument’s affairs. And then in 1855, they rigged the election of the Monument Society, and took over the construction. They swore to make sure no un-American influences touched the Monument again.
Under the Know Nothings, work ground to a halt.
In the 6 years before them, the monument rose to 154 feet.
In their 4 years in charge, it added…. 3 feet.
What caused it: competence or corruption? Yes*.
*All similarities to 4 years of no incompetence & corruption are...
In the 6 years before them, the monument rose to 154 feet.
In their 4 years in charge, it added…. 3 feet.
What caused it: competence or corruption? Yes*.
*All similarities to 4 years of no incompetence & corruption are...
Eventually, the Know Nothings abandoned the project. Then the Civil War erupted. Work paused until 1879, when the Government took over.
The 3 feet of stone laid under the Know Nothings had to be removed due to shoddy quality of stone and work.
The 3 feet of stone laid under the Know Nothings had to be removed due to shoddy quality of stone and work.
By the time Govt restarted the work, the quarry where most of the original stones came from was spent. They got stones from elsewhere, with a different color. That’s why the top is different.
The Pope’s Stone was taken from the Temple Of Concord in Rome. Concordia was the goddess of harmony and agreement. Romans worshipped her to grant social cohesion.
The Know Nothings uprooted social accord.
The Know Nothings uprooted social accord.
The Know Nothings left their mark in the stasis they caused. The World moved on without them, while the Work they were entrusted to govern stood still. By the time it restarted in their wake, things were lost that could not be regained.
When I think of the incomplete monument sitting there through Know Nothing malfeasance and later Civil War, I remember the incomplete Pyramid on the Great Seal. It's there to symbolize America as a work in progress, and undertaking on which Providence may smile.
