Cornerstone Laid for the Washington Monument In 1848 the Freemason Society laid the cornerstone for the <a href="http://mallhistory.org/items/show/36">Washington Monument</a> during an elaborate Fourth of July ceremony commemorating <a href="http://mallhistory.org/items/show/152">George Washington</a>. Thousands attended, including the President and Vice-President, Congressmen, representatives of Indian tribal nations, and other dignitaries. Speaker of the House Robert Winthrop delivered a carefully planned speech, avoiding the controversial political issues of 1848, such as the war with Mexico, relationships with the Vatican, and conflicts over slavery. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division. <a href="http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/93504406/">View original</a>. 07/04/1848 <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=38&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=1830-1859">1830-1859</a>