The term comes from the likelihood that whenever government shutdowns or budget cuts are threatened, the National Park Service announces it will close the Washington Monument (instead of little-used national parks) which is intended to induce disappointed tourists to deluge their congressmen and senators with complaints.

FORBES: Sequester Or No Sequester, Federal Agencies Could Spend Less

The monument will stand on the National Mall, the strip of parkland between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial.

ECONOMIST: From here to eternity | The

Commencement ceremonies are held at the National Mall, within sight of the Washington Monument and the U.S. Capitol, and notable alumni include Colin Powell, Kerry Washington and Alec Baldwin.

FORBES: George Washington University