On This Day in Alexandria History — “On April 27, 1850 the City of Alexandria presented a block of Virginia marble to be used in construction of the Washington Monument, begun in 1848 to the design of architect Robert Mills, who also designed Alexandria’s 1838 Federal courthouse that once stood at the northwest corner of Queen and North Columbus Streets. Construction on the monument proceeded apace until 1854, when it was stopped due to lack of funds and control of the Washington National Monument Society, and later the Civil War. Construction resumed in 1877 with the final completion in 1885. By that time, the colonnade was eliminated from the original design, and the flat top of the column was replaced by a pyramidion. The pause in construction is clearly visible by a change in stone color at the 152’ height, with Alexandria’s stone in the lower portion.” [Historic Alexandria]
More on White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner Shooter — “The man accused of opening fire at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner railed against Trump administration policies and referred to himself as a “Friendly Federal Assassin” in writings sent to family members minutes before an attack that authorities increasingly believe was politically motivated, according to a message reviewed by The Associated Press.” [The Associated Press]
