Editing Washington Monument (section)

===Later history===
[[File:Worlds tallest buildings, 1884.jpg|thumb|upright=1|The Principal High Buildings of the Old World design from 1884 with Washington Monument as the tallest structure represented]]
[[File:White House from the Washington Monument, Washington, D.C..jpg|thumb|upright=1|View of the [[White House]] and Northern Washington from the top of the Washington Monument in the early 1900s]]
[[File:WashingtonMonumentSenorAnderson.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1|The monument undergoing restoration in 1999]]
At completion, it was the world's tallest structure, until the [[Eiffel Tower]] was completed four years later in [[Paris]] in 1889.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=washingtonmonument-washington-dc-usa|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070309215757/http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=washingtonmonument-washington-dc-usa|url-status=usurped|archive-date=March 9, 2007|title=Washington Monument|publisher=Emporis.com|access-date=July 6, 2008}}</ref> The [[Heights of Buildings Act of 1910]] restricts new building heights to no more than {{convert|20|ft|m}} greater than the width of the adjacent street.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.loislaw.com/ogpc/login.htp?WSRet=12&dockey=13274690@DCCODE&OLDURL=/gpc/index.htp&OLDREFURL=http%3A//news.google.com/archivesearch%3Fq%3Dbuilding%2Bheight%2Bact%2Bof%2B1910%2Bjune%2B1%26btnG%3DSearch%26hl%3Den%26um%3D1%26ie%3DUTF-8|title=Primary Acts passed by U.S. Congress|publisher=Loislaw|access-date=August 4, 2008}}</ref> This monument is taller than the obelisks around the capitals of Europe and in [[Egypt]] and [[Ethiopia]], but ordinary antique obelisks were quarried as a monolithic block of stone, and were therefore seldom taller than approximately {{convert|100|ft|m}}.<ref>[[Edward Chaney]], "Roma Britannica and the Cultural Memory of Egypt: Lord Arundel and the Obelisk of Domitian", in ''Roma Britannica: Art Patronage and Cultural Exchange in Eighteenth-Century Rome'', eds. D. Marshall, K. Wolfe and S. Russell, British School at Rome, 2011, pp. 147–170.</ref>

The Washington Monument attracted enormous crowds before it officially opened. For six months after its dedication, 10,041 people climbed the 900 steps and 47 large landings to the top. After the [[elevator]] that had been used to raise building materials was altered to carry passengers, the number of visitors grew rapidly, and an average of 55,000 people per month were going to the top by 1888, only three years after its completion and dedication.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.nps.gov/nr/twhp/wwwlps/lessons/62wash/62facts4.htm | title=Determining the Facts Reading 3: Finishing the Monument | publisher=nps.gov | access-date=January 15, 2015}}</ref> The annual visitor count peaked at an average of 1.1&nbsp;million people between 1979 and 1997. From 2005 to 2010, when restrictions were placed on the number of visitors allowed per day, the Washington Monument had an annual average of 631,000 visitors.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/08/25/us/20110825-monthly-visitors-to-the-washington-monument.html?ref=us | title=Monthly Visitors to the Washington Monument | newspaper=The New York Times | date=August 24, 2011 | access-date=January 15, 2015}}</ref> As with all historic areas administered by the [[National Park Service]] (an agency of the [[United States Department of the Interior|U.S. Department of the Interior]]), the national memorial was listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] on October 15, 1966.<ref>{{NRISref|2007a}}</ref>

In the early 1900s, material started oozing out between the outer stones of the first construction period below the {{convert|150|foot|m|adj=on}} mark, and was referred to by tourists as "geological tuberculosis". This was caused by the weathering of the cement and rubble filler between the outer and inner walls. As the lower section of the monument was exposed to cold and hot and damp and dry weather conditions, the material dissolved and worked its way through the cracks between the stones of the outer wall, solidifying as it dripped down their outer surface.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=-t0DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA829 "Washington Monument attacked by Geological Tuberculosis"]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160902190729/https://books.google.com/books?id=-t0DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA829 |date=September 2, 2016 }} ''Popular Mechanics'', December 1911, pp. 829–830. This source mistakenly said the lower 190 feet was constructed during the early period—it was actually 150 feet.</ref>

For ten hours in December 1982, the Washington Monument and eight tourists were held hostage by a nuclear arms protester, [[Norman Mayer]], claiming to have explosives in a van he drove to the monument's base. [[United States Park Police]] shot and killed Mayer. The monument was undamaged in the incident, and it was discovered later that Mayer did not have explosives. After this incident, the surrounding grounds were modified in places to restrict the possible unauthorized approach of motor vehicles.<ref>{{cite book|author=Jeffrey David Simon|title=The Terrorist Trap: America's Experience with Terrorism|url=https://archive.org/details/terroristtrapame00simo|url-access=registration|year=2001|publisher=Indiana UP|page=[https://archive.org/details/terroristtrapame00simo/page/285 285]}}</ref>

The monument underwent an extensive restoration project between the years of 1998 and 2001. During this time it was completely covered in scaffolding designed by the American architect [[Michael Graves]] (who was also responsible for the interior changes).<ref>{{cite news |title=Obelisk's Scaffold Is First of Its Kind |author=Gabriel Escobar |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/local/longterm/library/monument/monument.htm |newspaper=Washington Post |date=December 30, 1998 |access-date=June 13, 2011}}</ref> The project included cleaning, repairing and [[repointing]] the monument's exterior and interior stonework. The stone in publicly accessible interior spaces was encased in glass to prevent vandalism, while new windows with narrower frames were installed (to increase the viewing space). New exhibits celebrating the life of George Washington, and the monument's place in history, were also added.<ref name="reopening_Washington_Post">{{cite news |title=It's Ready for Its Close-Up Now: Big Crowds Are Expected For Monument's Reopening |author=Linda Wheeler |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=July 30, 2000}}</ref>

A temporary interactive visitor center, dubbed the "Discovery Channel Center" was also constructed during the project. The center provided a simulated ride to the top of the monument, and shared information with visitors during phases in which the monument was closed.<ref>{{cite news |title=Metro in Brief |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=August 30, 2000}}</ref> The majority of the project's phases were completed by summer 2000, allowing the monument to reopen July 31, 2000.<ref name="reopening_Washington_Post"/> The monument temporarily closed again on December 4, 2000, to allow a new elevator cab to be installed, completing the final phase of the restoration project. The new cab included glass windows, allowing visitors to see some of the 194 memorial stones with their inscriptions embedded in the monument's walls. The installation of the cab took much longer than anticipated, and the monument did not reopen until February 22, 2002. The final cost of the restoration project was $10.5&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite news |title=New sight from Washington Monument |author=John Heilprin |url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/897639/New-sight-from-Washington-Monument.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120071431/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/897639/New-sight-from-Washington-Monument.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 20, 2012 |newspaper=Deseret News |date=February 23, 2002 |access-date=June 13, 2011}}</ref>

On September 7, 2004, the monument closed for a $15&nbsp;million renovation, which included numerous security upgrades and redesign of the monument grounds by landscape architect [[Laurie Olin]] (b. 1938). The renovations were due partly to security concerns following the [[September 11 attacks|September 11, 2001 attacks]] and the start of the [[War on Terror]]. The monument reopened April 1, 2005, while the surrounding grounds remained closed until the landscape was finished later that summer.<ref>{{cite news |title=Washington Monument reopens to public |url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-04-01-wash-monument-reopens_x.htm |newspaper=USA Today |date=April 1, 2005 |access-date=June 9, 2011}}{{dead link|date=December 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Washington Monument To Reopen Next Month |author=Paul Schwartzman |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A48152-2005Mar18.html |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=March 19, 2005 |access-date=June 9, 2011}}</ref>

====2011 earthquake damage====
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|alt1=Crack in a stone at the top of the monument after the [[2011 Virginia earthquake]]
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On August 23, 2011, the Washington Monument sustained damage during the 5.8 magnitude [[2011 Virginia earthquake]];<ref>{{cite news |title=Disasters Washington Monument Indefinitely Closes After Earthquake Causes Cracks |author=FoxNews.com |url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/washington-monument-indefinitely-closes-after-earthquake-causes-cracks |date=August 23, 2011 |access-date=August 23, 2011 |work=Fox News}}</ref> over 150 cracks were found in the monument.<ref name="cnn 20140512"/> A National Park Service spokesperson reported that inspectors discovered a crack near the top of the structure, and announced that the monument would be closed indefinitely.<ref name="QuakeAP">{{cite news|title=Washington Monument top cracked by earthquake |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jecxYo23gZVajPXprpTBjDSpSZlw?docId=9def79ebf5fb4459b6e61832f006bc98 |access-date=August 24, 2011 }}{{dead link|date=June 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref name="RuaneMoreDamage">{{cite news|author=Michael E. Ruane |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/washington-monuments-elevator-damaged-in-earthquake/2011/09/26/gIQA55wazK_story.html |title=Washington Monument Elevator Damage Inspected as Earthquake's Toll Is Assessed |newspaper=Washington Post |date=September 26, 2011 |access-date=January 31, 2013}}</ref> A block in the [[pyramidion]] also was partially dislodged, and pieces of stone, stone chips, mortar, and paint chips came free of the monument and "littered" the interior stairs and observation deck.<ref name="SullivanBlock">[https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post_now/post/washington-monument-cracks-indicate-earthquake-damage-photos/2011/08/25/gIQAfFwmdJ_blog.html Sullivan, Patricia. "Washington Monument Cracks Indicate Earthquake Damage." ''Washington Post.'' August 25, 2011.] Assessed August 26, 2011.</ref> The Park Service said it was bringing in two structural engineering firms ([[Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc.]] and Tipping Mar Associates) with extensive experience in historic buildings and earthquake-damaged structures to assess the monument.<ref>[http://www.nps.gov/nama/parknews/washington-monument-finds-additional-cracks.htm "Washington Monument Finds Additional Cracks." Press release. National Park Service. U.S. Department of the Interior. August 25, 2011] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502002817/http://www.nps.gov/nama/parknews/washington-monument-finds-additional-cracks.htm |date=May 2, 2014 }}. Retrieved August 26, 2011.</ref>

Officials said an examination of the monument's exterior revealed a "debris field" of mortar and pieces of stone around the base of the monument, and several "substantial" pieces of stone had fallen inside the memorial.<ref name="RuaneMoreDamage" /> A crack in the central stone of the west face of the pyramidion was {{convert|1|in|cm}} wide and {{convert|4|ft|m}} long.<ref name="NuckolsDelay">Nuckols, Ben. [https://www.yahoo.com/news/weather-may-delay-washington-monument-rappelling-172525819.html "Weather May Delay Washington Monument Rappelling"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161111062842/https://www.yahoo.com/news/weather-may-delay-washington-monument-rappelling-172525819.html |date=November 11, 2016 }} Associated Press. September 27, 2011.</ref><ref name="ReutersDamage" /> Park Service inspectors also discovered that the elevator system had been damaged, and was operating only to the {{convert|250|ft|m|adj=on}} level, but was soon repaired.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blogs.govexec.com/fedblog/2011/09/washington_monument_elevator_w.php |author=Clark, Charles S. |title=Washington Monument Elevator Woes |publisher=Government Executive |date=August 21, 2012 |access-date=January 31, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120117192356/http://blogs.govexec.com/fedblog/2011/09/washington_monument_elevator_w.php |archive-date=January 17, 2012  }}</ref>

On September 27, 2011, [[Denali National Park]] ranger Brandon Latham arrived to assist four climbers belonging to a "difficult access" team from Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates.<ref name="RuaneMoreDamage" /><ref name="ReutersDamage">{{cite news|last=O'Toole |first=Molly |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-washington-monument-idUSTRE78P5RA20110926 |title=Engineers to Rappel Down Washington Monument to Inspect Damage|date=September 26, 2011 |agency=Reuters.com |access-date=January 31, 2013}}</ref> The reason for the inspection was the park agency's suspicion that there were more cracks on the monument's upper section not visible from the inside. The agency said it filled the cracks that occurred on August 23. After [[Hurricane Irene (2011)|Hurricane Irene]] hit the area on August 27, water was discovered inside the memorial, leading the Park Service to suspect there was more undiscovered damage.<ref name="RuaneMoreDamage" /> The rappellers used radios to report what they found to engineering experts on the ground.<ref name="SmithRappell">{{cite web|last=Smith |first=Markette |url=http://wamu.org/news/11/09/26/climbers_repel_washington_monument_to_assess_damage |title=Climbers Rappel Washington Monument to Assess Damage|publisher=Wamu.org |date=September 26, 2011 |access-date=January 31, 2013}}</ref> Wiss, Janney, Elstner climber Dave Megerle took three hours to set up the rappelling equipment and set up a barrier around the monument's lightning rod system atop the pyramidion;<ref name="NuckolsDelay" /> it was the first time the hatch in the pyramidion had been open since 2000.<ref name="NuckolsDelay" />

The external inspection of the monument was completed on October 5, 2011. In addition to the {{convert|4|ft|m|adj=on}} long west crack, the inspection found several corner cracks and surface spalls (pieces of stone broken loose) at or near the top of the monument, and more loss of joint mortar lower down the monument. The full report was issued in December 2011.<ref name=Earthquake>{{cite web |url=http://www.nps.gov/wamo/upload/Post-Earthquake-assessment12_22_logo.pdf |title=Post-Earthquake Assessment |website=www.nps.gov |publisher=National Park Service |date=December 22, 2011 |access-date=January 4, 2016}}</ref> Bob Vogel, Superintendent of the National Mall and Memorial Parks, emphasized that the monument was not in danger of collapse. "It's structurally sound and not going anywhere", he told the national media at a press conference on September 26, 2011.<ref name="ReutersDamage" />

More than $200,000 was spent between August 24 and September 26 inspecting the structure.<ref name="RuaneMoreDamage" /> The National Park Service said that it would soon begin sealing the exterior cracks on the monument to protect it from rain and snow.<ref name="SmithRappell" /><ref>[http://www.nps.gov/wamo/washington-monument-earthquake-update.htm Washington Monument Earthquake Update] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160827053442/http://www.nps.gov/wamo/washington-monument-earthquake-update.htm |date=August 27, 2016 }}, ''NPS'', page contains news releases, a picture, video, and images of the earthquake and damage</ref>

On July 9, 2012, the [[National Park Service]] announced that the monument would be closed for repairs until 2014.<ref>{{cite news|last=Cohn|first=Alicia|title=Washington Monument could be closed until 2014 for earthquake repairs|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/119077-washington-monument-could-be-closed-until-2014-for-earthquake-repairs/|newspaper=The Hill|access-date=July 9, 2012}}</ref> The [[National Park Service]] hired construction management firm Hill International in conjunction with joint-venture partner Louis Berger Group to provide coordination between the designer, Wiss, Janney, and Elstner Associates, the general contractor Perini, and numerous stakeholders.<ref name="CMAA 2014">{{cite web | title=Washington Monument Earthquake Repair | website=CMAA | date=May 1, 2014 | url=http://cmaanet.org/impact-library/washington-monument-earthquake-repair | access-date=July 15, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150715223037/http://cmaanet.org/impact-library/washington-monument-earthquake-repair | archive-date=July 15, 2015 | url-status=dead | df=mdy-all }}</ref> NPS said a portion of the plaza at the base of the monument would be removed and [[scaffolding]] constructed around the exterior. In July 2013, lighting was added to the scaffolding.<ref>{{cite web|last=Freed|first=Benjamin R.|title=Washington Monument Nearly Topped Out, Will Be Lighted in June|url=http://dcist.com/2013/05/washington_monument_scaffolding_nea.php#photo-1|access-date=May 9, 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130506034946/http://dcist.com/2013/05/washington_monument_scaffolding_nea.php#photo-1|archive-date=May 6, 2013}}</ref> Some stone pieces saved during the 2011 inspection would be refastened to the monument, while "Dutchman patches"{{efn-ua |name=Dutchman | A "Dutchman Repair" "is a type of partial replacement or 'piecing-in'" that "involves replacing a small area of damaged stone" with a small piece of natural or imitation stone, "wedged in place or secured with an adhesive", with the joint being "as narrow as possible to maintain the appearance of a continuous surface".<ref>[http://www.nps.gov/tps/how-to-preserve/preservedocs/Historic-Masonry-Deterioration.pdf Grimmer, Anne E., "Dutchman Repair" (1984)],''A Glossary of Historic Masonry Deterioration Problems and Preservation Treatments''. Washington, D.C.: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Preservation Assistance Division. p. 56. Retrieved April 3, 2013.</ref> <!-- end of efn-ua -->}} would be used in other places. Several of the stone lips that help hold the pyramidion's {{convert|2000|lb|kg|adj=on}} exterior slabs in place were also damaged, so engineers installed stainless steel brackets to more securely fasten them to the monument.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/earthquake-damaged-washington-monument-may-be-closed-into-2014/2012/07/09/gJQAXrTNYW_story.html Ruane, Michael E. "Earthquake-Damaged Washington Monument May Be Closed Into 2014." ''Washington Post.'' July 9, 2012]. Retrieved July 14, 2012</ref>

The National Park Service reopened the Washington Monument to visitors on May 12, 2014, eight days ahead of schedule.<ref name=reopening>{{cite web|url=http://www.nps.gov/wamo/washington-monument-reopening.htm|title=Washington Monument reopening|publisher=National Park Service|access-date=May 12, 2014}}</ref><ref name="CMAA 2014"/> Repairs to the monument cost $15&nbsp;million,<ref name="cnn 20140512">{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2014/05/12/travel/washington-monument-to-reopen/ |title=Washington Monument reopens after quake repairs |publisher=CNN.com |date=August 23, 2011 |access-date=May 14, 2014}}</ref> with taxpayers funding $7.5&nbsp;million of the cost and [[David Rubenstein]] funding the other $7.5&nbsp;million.<ref name="abc 20140512">{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/10-facts-washington-monument-reopens/story?id=23683473 |title=10 Facts About the Washington Monument as It Reopens |publisher=ABC News |access-date=May 14, 2014}}</ref> At the reopening Interior Secretary [[Sally Jewell]], ''[[Today (U.S. TV program)|Today]]'' show weatherman [[Al Roker]], and ''[[American Idol]]'' [[American Idol (season 12)|Season 12]] winner [[Candice Glover]] were present.<ref name="latimes 20140512">{{cite web|url=http://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-washington-monument-reopens-more-popular-than-ever-20140512-story.html |title=Washington Monument draws crowds as it reopens after renovations|work=Los Angeles Times |date=May 12, 2014|access-date=May 14, 2014}}</ref>

====Subsequent problems and repairs====
The monument continued to be plagued by problems after the earthquake, including in January 2017 when the lights illuminating it went out.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/local/wp/2017/01/04/lights-out-at-the-washington-monument/ "The lights went out at the Washington Monument"], Dana Hedgpeth. [[Washington Post]]. January 4, 2017. Retrieved January 4, 2017</ref> The monument was closed again in September 2016 due to reliability issues with the elevator system.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/washington-monument-to-close-for-repairs-elevator-is-unreliable-officials-say/2016/09/26/350e2244-83f9-11e6-ac72-a29979381495_story.html |title=Washington Monument closed indefinitely over elevator's 'reliability issues' | first1 = Dana | last1 = Hedgpeth | first2 = Michael E. |last2 = Ruane |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] | date = September 26, 2016 | access-date = September 26, 2016}}</ref> On December 2, 2016, the National Park Service announced that the monument would be closed until 2019 in order to modernize the elevator. The $2–3&nbsp;million project was to correct the elevator's ongoing mechanical, electrical and computer issues, which had shuttered the monument since August 17. The National Park Service requested funding in its FY 2017 President's Budget Request to construct a permanent screening facility for the Washington Monument.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nps.gov/nama/learn/news/david-rubenstein-donates-funds-to-modernize-washington-monument-elevator.htm|title=David Rubenstein Donates Funds to Modernize Washington Monument Elevator – National Mall and Memorial Parks (U.S. National Park Service)|website=www.nps.gov|access-date=December 2, 2016}}</ref> The final months of closure were for mitigation of possibly contaminated underground soil thought to have been introduced in the 1880s.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/438930-washington-monument-reopening-delayed-by-possible-soil/ |title=Washington Monument reopening delayed by possible soil contamination |date=April 15, 2019 |newspaper=The Hill |first=Rebecca |last=Beitsch |access-date=July 15, 2019 }}</ref> The monument reopened September 19, 2019.<ref>{{citation |author=National Park Service |title=Operating Hours & Seasons |publisher=National Park Service |date=September 17, 2019 |access-date=September 19, 2019 |url=https://www.nps.gov/wamo/planyourvisit/hours.htm}}</ref>

====Repeated closures====
After reopening in September 2019, the Washington Monument was closed on March 14, 2020, because of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>Jen Rose Smith. [https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/us-national-parks-closed-coronavirus-wellness/index.html "These US national parks are closed because of coronavirus."] CNN Travel, 17 March 2020. Retrieved 20 August 2021.</ref>  It reopened on October 1, 2020,<ref name="Lantry">Lauren Lantry. [https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/washington-monument-reopening-wednesday-closed-covid/story?id=78809903 "The Washington Monument is reopening Wednesday after being closed because of COVID."] ''ABC News.'' 14 July 2021.  Retrieved 20 August 2021.</ref> and remained open through the remainder of that year, except for brief closures.<ref>Joey Garrison. [https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/12/18/washington-monument-closed-down-after-secretary-positive-covid-19/3958784001/ "Washington Monument closed down after Interior Secretary tests positive for COVID-19."] ''USA Today.'' 18 December 2020. Retrieved 20 August 2021.</ref> On January 11, 2021, a few days after the [[January 6 United States Capitol attack]], the National Park Service announced a two-week closure of the monument until after the [[Inauguration of Joe Biden|presidential inauguration]] due to "credible threats to visitors and park resources".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/533634-washington-monument-closed-through-inauguration-due-to-credible/ |title=Washington Monument closed through inauguration due to 'credible threats' |date=January 11, 2021 |work=The Hill |first=Rebecca |last=Beitsch |access-date=January 11, 2021 }}</ref>  Following a lack of violence, the closure was extended due to a revival of COVID-19 fears.<ref>Greg Clary. [https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/23/politics/washington-monument-closed-coronavirus/index.html "."] ''CNN Politics''. 23 January 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2021.</ref> The monument then reopened on July 14, 2021,<ref name="Lantry" /> only to close yet again on August 16 for two weeks due to lightning strikes which damaged some electrical systems.<ref>Alejandro Alvarez. [https://wtop.com/local/2021/08/washington-monument-closed-for-4th-day-after-lightning-strike/ "Washington Monument closed for 4th day after lightning strike."] ''WTOP News.''. 19 August 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2021.</ref>

On September 20, 2022, the monument was closed for one evening because a man was defacing the monument with red paint and [[graffiti]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/washington-monument-vandalism/index.html|title=Washington Monument vandalized with red paint|last1=Winston|first1=Adrienne|last2=Marcus|first2=Lilit|publisher=[[CNN]]|date=September 21, 2022|access-date=September 27, 2022}}</ref> He was arrested and charged with vandalism,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Weil |first1=Martin |last2=Hermann |first2=Peter |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2022/09/20/washington-monument-vandalism-arrest-police/ |title=Washington Monument vandalized with paint; man is arrested, police say |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=2022-09-21 |accessdate=2022-09-21 }}</ref> to which he pleaded guilty, and later sentenced to a year of probation and ordered to pay restitution to the Park Service.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/crime/man-pay-thousands-for-defacing-washington-monument/65-09357ea9-4f40-4b97-9fff-0a90eaa20a05 |title=Man to pay thousands for defacing Washington Monument |date=December 20, 2022 |work=[[WUSA (TV)|WUSA]] |first=Alanea |last=Cremen |access-date=May 2, 2024}}</ref>