VOA慢速英語:為美國(guó)第一任總統(tǒng)華盛頓立紀(jì)念碑

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From VOA Learning English, welcome to This isAmerica. I’m Steve Ember.

The tallest structure in America’s capital city is theWashington Monument. It is named for GeorgeWashington, the first president of the United States. Come along with us, as we tell about the WashingtonMonument and the man it honors.

The Washington Monument is a big building named for an important American. George Washington led theAmerican colonies in the war of independence against England from 1775 to 1783. Later he headed the group that wrote the United States Constitution. As president, he helped the new United States of America through its difficultfirst years.

Over the years, millions of people from around the world have visited theWashington Monument. It stands almost 170 meters high, close by thePotomac River. The four sides of this tall obelisk, or tower, end in a point at the top.

The Washington Monument as seen from the west front of the U.S. Capitol. The Lincoln Memorial is just beyond the Monument.

The Washington Monument is one of the most photographed places in theworld. Lights shine on it at night. It can be seen from far away. Fireworks arelaunched near the monument on America’s Independence Day -- the 4th ofJuly -- and during other special celebrations.

George Washington was born in 1732. His family lived in WestmorelandCounty, Virginia. George attended school for only about seven or eight years. He wanted to become a sailor. However, his mother would not permit this. So George became an explorer. At age 20 he became an officer in thecolonial army.

In 1753, the colonies still belonged to Britain. Major George Washingtoncarried a message from British colonial officials to French forces. At the time,French forces occupied the Ohio River Valley. The message ordered them towithdraw. It was a dangerous duty, and George Washington completed itsuccessfully.

George Washington continued to gain responsibility in the army. However, as time passed, he became angrywith the way England governed the American colonies. Taxes were high. And the colonies had norepresentation in the British Parliament.

The war against Britain began in 1775. The Americansnamed George Washington commander of theRevolutionary armies.

A portrait of George Washington

Many of his soldiers were untrained. They were poorlyequipped. During one winter of the Revolutionary War,his troops almost froze to death. But GeneralWashington led them to victory. The last British troopsleft the former colonies in 1783.

After the war, George Washington strongly influencedthe writing of the new Constitution. Then, in 1789, the first American ElectoralCollege met. It named him the first president of the United States. Threeyears later, he wanted to retire. He planned to live with his wife Martha atMount Vernon, their home in Virginia, along the Potomac. But others appealedto him to run for president again. The ballots were counted in 1793, and he was re-elected.

George Washington was not perfect. He kept slaves at Mount Vernon. However, he freed all his slaves during his lifetime. He also urged the nationto end slavery in the future.

Washington gave the nation a good start. He helped prevent the country frombecoming a dictatorship. He prevented it from being ruled by a king. Hehelped establish freedom of religion.

And now, let’s look at the Washington Monument. It took many years to buildthe Washington Monument. America almost got a very different memorial toGeorge Washington instead of the present one.

Congress decided to pay for a statue of Washington on a horse. Thelawmakers did this even before the signing of the treaty that ended theAmerican Revolutionary War. The statue was to show how GeneralWashington led American troops to victory against England. However, hesaid he did not want the nation to spend money for the statue.

A group called theWashington National Monument Society started raisingmoney for a memorial in 1833. Officials placed the firststone of the monument on July 4th, 1848.

An early photograph of the Washinton Monument under construction

The Roman Catholic Church leader, Pope Pius theNinth, gave a piece of marble from Rome for themonument. But the stone was stolen a few years later. People suspected that an American group called theKnow Nothings took the stone. Among other things, thegroup opposed the Roman Catholic Church.

After that, the public almost stopped giving money for the building project. Many believed it never would befinished. Then Congress started to help pay for themonument. But, again, the Know Nothings intervened. They raided theWashington National Monument Society office. They claimed the monumentwas their property.

Finally, in 1876, Congress voted to pay for building the WashingtonMonument. On December Sixth, 1884, the monument was finished. Itopened to the public four years later.

A visit to the Washington Monument begins by getting a ticket. Long linesoften form at the ticket office. For that reason, it is a good idea to buy ticketson the Internet.

Once people have their tickets, they stand in a line near the monument.Depending on the time of day – and the time of year – that line can be verylong.

The monument is surrounded by 50 flagpoles. The flags represent the 50states.

National Park Service guides supervise the Washington Monument. Theylead visitors to a big elevator for the ride up to the observation area at the top.

The view from the top of the Washington Monument. Below, the Tidal Basin (AP Photo).

The observation area is more than 150 meters above the ground. You’ll hearlots os “oohs” and “aahs” as they stand at the windows. Looking north, youcan see famous buildings like the White House. You can also see theCorcoran Gallery of Art, and a hotel where America’s 16th president, AbrahamLincoln, once stayed. To the east, you can see the U.S. Capitol building,where Congress makes laws. You can also see the Smithsonian Institutionmuseum buildings along the Mall. And to the west, the view includes the WorldWar Two Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Potomac River.

The elevator trip back down is equally interesting. Through the windows youcan see some of the almost 200 carved memorial stones on the inside wallsof the monument.

Every state gave a stone to the monument. Stones also came from othercountries. For example, one stone came from the library of Alexandria inEgypt. The Free Swiss Federation in Switzerland gave a stone that says, “To the Memory of Washington.” Japan gave a stone made from volcanic rock.

The Washington Monument was forced to close inAugust of 2011 after an earthquake damaged thestructure. The 5.8 force earthquake shookcommunities up and down the East Coast. People saidthey could see the monument moving during the quake,which caused cracks and fallen stone.

The monument stayed closed for nearly three yearswhile workers completed $15-million in repairs. Duringthat time, metal scaffolding – or supports – covereddifferent parts of the monument as work progressed. Lighting on the monument shone on the metal and itsplastic coverings, making beautiful sights, especially attwilight.

In May of 2014, thousands of people attended aceremony for the official re-opening of the monument. Officials spoke, performers entertained and everyonecelebrated the reopening.

The Washington Monument is just one of many waysAmericans have honored their first president. Thenorthwest state of Washington is named for him. Soare many cities, schools and streets in the United States. We should alsomention the Washington Monument that rises in Mount Vernon Square innearby Baltimore.

A sentence written on a wall in the Washington Monument expresses the waymany Americans feel about George Washington. It says he was “first in war,first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen.”

This program was written by Jerilyn Watson. I’m Steve Ember, inviting you tojoin us next time for another This is America program from VOA LearningEnglish.