The Statue of Liberty is one of the most iconic symbols of freedom and democracy in the world. It stands at the entrance to New York Harbor in the United States of America and has welcomed millions of immigrants to the country since it was first unveiled in 1886. Here are some interesting facts about the Statue of Liberty.
History of the Statue of Liberty
- The Statue of Liberty was a gift from France to the United States to celebrate the centennial of the American Declaration of Independence in 1876.
- The French people chose the sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi to design the statue, and the engineer Gustave Eiffel (who later designed the Eiffel Tower) to design the internal structure.
- The statue was made in France, shipped to the US in 350 individual pieces, and assembled on Bedloe’s Island (now Liberty Island) in New York Harbor.
- The statue was dedicated on October 28, 1886, by President Grover Cleveland.
Facts about the Statue of Liberty
- The Statue of Liberty is 305 feet 1 inch (92.99 meters) tall, including the pedestal, and is the tallest statue in the United States.
- The statue weighs 450,000 pounds (204,120 kilograms).
- The face of the statue is 8 feet (2.4 meters) wide.
- The tablet in the statue’s left hand is 23 feet 7 inches (7.2 meters) wide and reads, “July 4, 1776” in Roman numerals.
- The statue is made of copper sheets that are just over 3/32 of an inch (2.4 millimeters) thick.
- The statue was originally a reddish-brown color, but it has since turned green due to oxidation of the copper.
- The statue was designed to withstand winds of up to 120 miles per hour (193 kilometers per hour).
Symbolism of the Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty is a symbol of freedom and democracy, and a beacon of hope for immigrants arriving in the United States. The seven spikes on the crown of the statue represent the seven seas and seven continents of the world. The tablet in the statue’s left hand symbolizes the law, and the broken chains at the feet of the statue represent the breaking of bondage.
The Torch of the Statue of Liberty
The torch held by the Statue of Liberty is an iconic symbol of freedom and democracy. The torch was originally lit with an oil-burning flame, but in 1984 it was replaced with a 100-watt electric lightbulb. The torch is now lit 24 hours a day and can be seen from miles away.
Conclusion
The Statue of Liberty is one of the most recognizable symbols of freedom and democracy in the world. It stands as a beacon of hope for immigrants arriving in the United States, and its iconic torch is a symbol of freedom and democracy. Its history and symbolism make it an important part of the American identity.