Washington Monument to Blaze Red, White & Blue in First Salute to America 250
The White House flips the switch on nightly red-white-blue illumination of the Washington Monument, officially launching America’s 250th-anniversary celebrations.
A Beacon for 250 Years of History
Washington, D.C.—When dusk settles over the capital Tuesday, the Washington Monument will ignite in a cascade of red, white, and blue, marking the ceremonial start of the nation’s 18-month countdown to its 250th birthday.
The White House Unveils the Spark
President’s office officials confirmed the temporary LED transformation will begin at 8:45 p.m. and repeat nightly through July 6, a symbolic gesture officials say is meant to “invite every American to look up—and look ahead.”
“This isn’t just a light show; it’s an invitation to remember where we’ve been and imagine where we’re going,” U.S. Interior Secretary Monica Alvarez told reporters on the Ellipse.
Why the Monument, Why Now?
Built to honor the commander who birthed a nation, the 555-foot obelisk has served as backdrop for civil-rights marches, New-Year fireworks, and post-9/11 vigils. White House strategists wanted a canvas already woven into the public memory for the first major spectacle of America 250, the multi-agency program leading to 2026’s Semiquincentennial.
- More than 2,000 programmable LED nodes will outline the monument’s aluminum cap and marble ribs.
- Each color sequence lasts nine minutes, looping until midnight.
- Peak viewing is from the National Mall, though rooftop bars in Rosslyn report sell-out reservations.
Security, Traffic, and a Parade of Selfies
Expect road closures on 17th Street NW and extra Metro trains on the Orange, Blue, and Silver lines. National Park Police have deployed drone-detection teams; selfie sticks are welcome, but glass bottles are not.
From Sunrise to Semiquincentennial
After this week’s glow subsides, planners promise traveling light installations in Philadelphia, Boston, and Charleston, culminating in a 13-state torch relay that reaches Valley Forge on July 4, 2026.
Yet for many visitors, the image that will linger is the capital’s night sky framed by marble and memory.
“You feel small standing beneath it,” said tourist Keisha Brown of Detroit, “but somehow part of something huge.”
Tickets are not required; bring patience, water, and maybe a folding chair. The lights switch on at sunset, and history—at least for the next 250 years—will handle the rest.