𝐀𝐓𝐎𝐏 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐀𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐓𝐎𝐍 𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐔𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓, 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐘𝐄𝐃 𝐓𝐖𝐎 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐃𝐒: Laus Deo.
One detail that is seldom mentioned is that in Washington, D.C. there can never be a building of greater height than the Washington Monument. On the aluminum cap, atop the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C., are displayed two words: Laus Deo. 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.
Laus Deo! Two seemingly insignificant, unnoticed words. Out of sight and, one might think, out of mind, but very meaningfully placed at the highest point. 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 in1848, 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!”