Statue of Liberty

The Statue of Liberty is a colossal statue located on Liberty Island in New York Harbor, USA. It was gifted by France to commemorate the 100th anniversary of American independence.

Statue of Liberty: Symbol of American Freedom and Democracy

The Statue of Liberty embodies Libertas, the Roman goddess of freedom. She holds a torch of enlightenment in her right hand and a tablet inscribed with the date of the American Declaration of Independence in her left. At her feet lies a broken chain, symbolizing the emancipation of slaves.

The Statue of Liberty was inaugurated in 1886 and was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1984. It is an architectural masterpiece reflecting American history and culture, commemorating the friendship and alliance between France and the United States, and symbolizing American freedom and democracy.

The Statue of Liberty also delivers a message of hope and welcome to immigrants. It is a monument that represents the spirit and identity of the American people.

In fact, its official name is 'Liberty Enlightening the World,' but it's more commonly and famously known as the Statue of Liberty or simply 'Statue of Liberty'.

History of the Statue of Liberty

The history of the Statue of Liberty begins in 1865 when Édouard de Laboulaye, a French historian and human rights activist, proposed a statue to be gifted to the United States to commemorate the 100th anniversary of American independence and to commend its democracy and abolition of slavery.

French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi was responsible for the statue's design, and Gustave Eiffel, the renowned architect who built the Eiffel Tower, designed the statue's iron framework.

The statue was crafted from copper, and the torch was plated with gold.

Originally assembled in France, it was disassembled into 350 pieces and 214 crates for shipping by sea. The statue's pedestal was constructed in the United States, designed by American architect Richard Morris Hunt.

The pedestal was built on the ruins of Fort Wood on Liberty Island. Due to a shortage of funds for the pedestal's construction, Joseph Pulitzer, publisher of the New York World newspaper, spearheaded a fundraising campaign.

Over 120,000 people contributed, with most donating less than $1.

The statue arrived in the United States in 1885, and its inauguration ceremony was held on October 28, 1886. The inauguration was presided over by Grover Cleveland, the 22nd and 24th President of the United States, and was marked by New York's first ticker-tape parade.

At the inauguration, Bartholdi activated the mechanism to light the statue's torch. It was managed by the U.S. Lighthouse Service until 1901, after which it came under the purview of the War Department.

In 1933, it came under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service. In 1965, the Statue of Liberty and Liberty Island were designated as Statue of Liberty National Monument, and in 1984, it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Design and Structure

Designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, the Statue of Liberty is a neoclassical masterpiece that personifies freedom.

Depiction of the Goddess: The Statue of Liberty is depicted as a draped female figure holding a torch in her right hand and the Declaration of Independence in her left. She wears a crown with seven spikes and stands on a broken chain, symbolizing emancipation.

Each element symbolizes the values of liberty and democracy.

Torch: Represents a bright future and hope.

Declaration of Independence: Symbolizes the values of freedom and equality.

Crown: Represents the continuous pursuit of freedom and democracy.

Broken Chains: Symbolizes liberation from oppression and tyranny.

Structure: The copper-clad statue is assembled on a steel framework. It was fabricated in France, disassembled for shipment to the United States, and reassembled there.

How to Visit the Statue of Liberty

The Statue of Liberty is located on Liberty Island, accessible only by ferry. Ferries depart from Battery Park in New York City or Liberty State Park in New Jersey. Please visit the official website below for accurate information as details may vary.

Statue of Liberty Official Website

Fun Facts about the Statue of Liberty

The Statue of Liberty was originally built in France and disassembled for transport to the United States. It was shipped in 350 pieces and 214 crates and reassembled in the US. The statue stands approximately 93.5 meters tall (statue 46m, pedestal 47.5m), weighs 225 tons, and is made of copper.

The Statue of Liberty is designed to withstand wind and earthquakes. The statue's iron framework was designed by Gustave Eiffel, similar in principle to the Eiffel Tower. The statue's copper skin is attached to the iron framework, and the different lengths of copper and iron wires allow the skin to move with temperature changes, preventing the statue from expanding or contracting too much.

The Statue of Liberty was originally reddish-brown but has turned green over time. This is due to copper reacting with the air and oxidizing. This oxide protects the statue from corrosion and gives it a unique color and sheen. This oxide is called patina, and the statue is regularly cleaned and maintained to preserve its green color.