The Washington Monument is reopening after a 2011 earthquake caused $15 million in damage. Cutting the ribbon Monday, May 12, were, from left, National Mall and Memorial Parks Superintendent Robert Vogel; Caroline Cunningham, president of the Trust for the National Mall; David Rubenstein, co-founder and co-CEO of the Carlyle Group; National Park Service Director Jonathan Jarvis; U.S. Interior Secretary Sally Jewell; counselor to President Obama John Podesta; Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C.; and D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray (with unidentified man).
Washington Monument reopens —
The Washington Monument is reopening after a 2011 earthquake caused $15 million in damage. Cutting the ribbon Monday, May 12, were, from left, National Mall and Memorial Parks Superintendent Robert Vogel; Caroline Cunningham, president of the Trust for the National Mall; David Rubenstein, co-founder and co-CEO of the Carlyle Group; National Park Service Director Jonathan Jarvis; U.S. Interior Secretary Sally Jewell; counselor to President Obama John Podesta; Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C.; and D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray (with unidentified man).
Alex Wong/Getty Images
One of Washington's most popular sites, the 555-foot obelisk had been closed since the magnitude-5.8 earthquake on August 23, 2011, caused more than 150 cracks in the structure.
Washington Monument reopens —
One of Washington's most popular sites, the 555-foot obelisk had been closed since the magnitude-5.8 earthquake on August 23, 2011, caused more than 150 cracks in the structure.
KAREN BLEIER/AFP/Getty Images
Steven Avilla wears a Washington Monument costume as he greets visitors.
Washington Monument reopens —
Steven Avilla wears a Washington Monument costume as he greets visitors.
Mark Wilson/Getty Images
Master of ceremonies Al Roker, of NBC's "Today Show," speaks during the ceremony to celebrate the monument's reopening.
Washington Monument reopens —
Master of ceremonies Al Roker, of NBC's "Today Show," speaks during the ceremony to celebrate the monument's reopening.
AP Photo
The ceremony included entertainment from "American Idol" winner Candice Glover, seen here, the Boy and Girl Choristers of Washington National Cathedral Choir, the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps and the U.S. Navy Band.
Washington Monument reopens —
The ceremony included entertainment from "American Idol" winner Candice Glover, seen here, the Boy and Girl Choristers of Washington National Cathedral Choir, the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps and the U.S. Navy Band.
AP Photo
David Rubenstein, co-founder and co-CEO of the Carlyle Group, addresses National Park Service Director Jonathan Jarvis and the rest of the crowd. For the restoration project, Congress allocated $7.5 million, and Rubenstein matched those funds with a $7.5 million donation via the Trust for the National Mall.
Washington Monument reopens —
David Rubenstein, co-founder and co-CEO of the Carlyle Group, addresses National Park Service Director Jonathan Jarvis and the rest of the crowd. For the restoration project, Congress allocated $7.5 million, and Rubenstein matched those funds with a $7.5 million donation via the Trust for the National Mall.
Alex Wong/Getty Images
Ticketed public tours were made available at the Washington Monument Lodge on a first-come basis for the reopening.
Washington Monument reopens —
Ticketed public tours were made available at the Washington Monument Lodge on a first-come basis for the reopening.
AP Photo
Re-enactors portraying President George Washington and his wife, Martha, attend the reopening celebrations. Built as a tribute to Washington's military leadership during the American Revolution, construction of the Washington Monument was started in 1848 and completed in 1884.
Washington Monument reopens —
Re-enactors portraying President George Washington and his wife, Martha, attend the reopening celebrations. Built as a tribute to Washington's military leadership during the American Revolution, construction of the Washington Monument was started in 1848 and completed in 1884.
KAREN BLEIER/AFP/Getty Images
The Washington Monument is reflected in tourist Lani Walatka's sunglasses.
Washington Monument reopens —
The Washington Monument is reflected in tourist Lani Walatka's sunglasses.
Mark Wilson/Getty Images
Recent repairs are visible as visiting fifth-graders have lunch in the shade. From left are Jacob Smith-Osborn, Dom Balzano, Jiashu Chen, James Downs and Alex Musshorn.
Washington Monument reopens —
Recent repairs are visible as visiting fifth-graders have lunch in the shade. From left are Jacob Smith-Osborn, Dom Balzano, Jiashu Chen, James Downs and Alex Musshorn.
Mark Wilson/Getty Images