BET YOU DIDN’T KNOW: What Are the Two Latin Words Atop the Washington Monument

(QUICK READ) — It’s the tallest stone structure in the country and reigns by law as the permanent highest building in the nation’s capital. It’s the Washington Monument and its towering shape is familiar as the enduring symbol of America’s founding President.

At the top of the monument on the East-facing surface are two Latin words. Most Americans today have no idea that these two words are even there, much less what they mean or why they were placed where they are.

“Laus Deo,” which translated from the Latin means “Praise Be To God.” The words cannot be seen from below and they face perpetually to the rising Sun in the east. George Washington passed away in 1799, so he never saw his monument.

The presence of those two words on his monument may recall, however, the prayer  Washington offered at his first inauguration as the first President of the United States:

“Almighty God; We make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection; that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United states at large.

And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without a humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”