One of the most recognizable landmarks in the United States is the Washington Monument. Construction of the monument began in 1848 and was halted for a period of 23 years, from 1854 to 1877 for lack of funds and the Civil War. Although the stone structure was completed in 1884, internal ironwork, the knoll, and installation of memorial stones were not completed until 1888.  This photo was taken on a New years eve in 2015 but I thought it is a good reflection of the current political environment.