The Washington monument in the eponymous capital of the United States is crowned with a metal cap. Among other inscriptions, the cap displays the words LAUS DEO, which in Latin means "Praise be to God", or more literally "Praise to God". The inscription most likely reveals some sort of Masonic connection.

More interestingly, Wikipedia informs us of the following:

Halfway up the steps of the monument is an inscription in Welsh: Fy iaith, fy ngwlad, fy nghenedl Cymru — Cymru am byth (My language, my land, my nation of Wales — Wales for ever). The reason for this inscription or its author is unknown.

Washington Monument (Wikipedia article)

At the very least we know that this is not some sort of Elfish language :) But seriously, "the reason for this inscription or its author is unknown"? You may wait for Dan Brown's new novel, "The Solomon Key", to find out what this inscription is all about. I am sure the truth will be most entertaining, as Dan Brown explores the dark secrets of Masonic symbolism in the nation's capital. But if you don't feel like waiting, here is what I uncovered:

"In 1834 a dinner was held by the Welsh residents of New York, presided over by E. W. Davis, and aided by T. Ingram Tones and the late Daniel L. Jones. The success of the dinner suggested the idea oi organizing a Welsh national society, and a draft of the constitution nnd by-laws for such a society was made. Out of this initiative grew the present St. David Society, which has helped hundreds of distressed Welshmen who have stranded on their arrival In the United States. Daniel L. Jones was president in 1863. Among its presidents have been Gen. Thomas L. James. Hon. Noah Davis, Ellis H. Roberts, the present United States Treasurer, and a score of other prominent Americans. It was through Mr. Jones that the government permitted a stone to be placed in the Washington monument to represent the little principality. This stone was imported from a quarry near Swansea. It bears the following inscription: Fy iaith. Fy Ngwlad, Ky Nghenedl. Wales. Cymru am Byth! Mr. Daniel L. Jones was a faithful, consistent and patriotic Welshman."

The Cambrian, a monthly magazine, Vol. XVIII, 1898.

Of course, it is still very suspicious that Welshmen be ever allowed to express their patriotic (and hence non-American) sentiments on this great obelisk. So, we shall see what Mr. Brown will be able to dig up.]]> http://www.knightstemplarvault.com/index.php?entry=entry080401-192453

It has always been a mystery to historians why the Order of the Knights Templar remained a very exclusive group of only nine knights for many years after its inception. Surely, there were many valiant knights who were willing to join the Order, and their help would have been appreciated, given the formidable task of protecting Christians in the Holy Land. After much research, I have concluded that the original nine knights formed a team and created a ball game, now popularly known as "baseball." This discovery immediately clears out many difficulties. In baseball clubs of modern era only nine players are allowed on the field, while the organization itself could easily consist of thousands of people with various functions assigned to them. The nine knights were simply the members of the team that were activated for any given game. Further research is needed in order to establish what other teams existed in Palestine during the Middle ages, but there are indications that the Jerusalem Templars played against the Tripoli Hospitallers, as well as the ever fearsome Qadmous Assassins.

It seems that after the loss of Jerusalem the Outremer League was disbanded. However, the legacy of the game was passed on through various secret societies, and its first secular account appeared in England in 1744 (A Little Pretty Pocket-Book, by John Newbery), only decades after the Masons began to gain influence and recognition in Europe. Undoubtedly, the Masons envisioned immense opportunities for baseball in the Americas. It is possible however, that Masonic baseball upon its arrival to the colonies simply merged with the version of the game that was first brought into the New World by Henry St. Clair and his followers (see Templars in America: From the Crusades to the New World by Tim Wallace-Murphy & Marilyn Hopkins). One way or another, the United States of America, the country largely founded on Masonic principles, was the place where baseball truly flourished, as we all know. By the 21st century, baseball became an international sport.

Another area of future research is the meaning of baseball. Of course, the mere layout of any baseball field bears a strong resemblance to the Masonic emblem. Can baseball’s deep symbolism be ever fully understood? Could it be that the entire game actually contains secret knowledge that the Templars were able to gain in the Holy Land? Is it possible that the popular game is, in fact, the elusive Holy Grail? Not being an expert on religious symbology I cannot even begin to comprehend the mystery of squares and circles, and the mind-boggling numerology of the sport known even amongst the profane as the “game of numbers.” Anxiously, I am awaiting the response of Harvard’s renowned professor Robert Langdon.