May 12, 2014

The Washington Monument, one of the U.S. capital’s most recognizable sights, reopened May 12, 2014, three years after sustaining damage from a rare earthquake.

: A reenactor portraying first US president George Washington arrives for the Washington Monument re-opening ceremonies. (KAREN BLEIER/AFP/Getty Images)

: A view of the White House and a new locator map inside the Washington Monument that was shown during a preview tour for the media prior to its reopening. (Photo by Pete Marovich/Getty Images)

: A view of a new exhibit inside the Washington Monument that was shown during a preview tour for the media prior to its reopening. (Photo by Pete Marovich/Getty Images)

: The Washington Monument, pictured on May 10, 2014. (Photo by Pete Marovich/Getty Images)

: James Perry, chief of resource management for the National Mall and Memorial Parks, speaks to the media and talks about one of the cracks that was repaired in the Washington Monument. (Photo by Pete Marovich/Getty Images)

: One of the saddle anchors that were installed to secure the pyramidion panels for seismic strengthening at the top of the Washington Monument is seen during a preview tour for the media prior to its reopening. (Photo by Pete Marovich/Getty Images)

: Workers prepare the landscaping around the Washington Monument visitor’s center. (Photo by Pete Marovich/Getty Images)

: William Davenport, right, an employee of Eastern National, which runs the bookstore of the Washington Monument, hands out tickets to visitors May 12, 2014. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

: Steven Avilla wears a Washington Monument costume as he greets visitors to the monument. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

: A Military Honor Guard participates in the reopening ceremony at the Washington Monument. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

: George and Martha Washington impersonators attend the Washington Monument reopening ceremony. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

: In this Ocober 1, 2013 file photo, the Washington Monument is seen behind a chain fence in Washington, DC. The Washington Monument, one of the US capital’s most recognizable sights, was to reopen May 12, 2014, three years after sustaining damage from a rare earthquake. (KAREN BLEIER/AFP/Getty Images)

: A view of the US Capitol taken from the Washington Monument in Washington on May 10, 2014 during a preview prior to the official re-opening of the monument after repairs to damage caused by the August 23, 2011 earthquake. (NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images)

: A person walks across the plaza at the Washington Monument May 12, 2014 in Washington, DC. (KAREN BLEIER/AFP/Getty Images)

: Students lie down to takes pictures at the base of the Washington Monument May 12, 2014. (KAREN BLEIER/AFP/Getty Images)

: Students lie down to takes pictures at the base of the Washington Monument May 12, 2014. (KAREN BLEIER/AFP/Getty Images)

: The Washington Monument is seen through a wide angle lens May 12, 2014 in Washington, DC. (KAREN BLEIER/AFP/Getty Images)

: Reenactors portraying first US President George Washington and his wife Martha, stand for the National Anthem May 12, 2014 during re-opening ceremonies at the Washington Monument. (KAREN BLEIER/AFP/Getty Images)

: Reenactors portraying first US President George Washington and his wife Martha, look on May 12, 2014 during re-opening ceremonies at the Washington Monument. (KAREN BLEIER/AFP/Getty Images)