The Statue of Liberty, looming above New York, is one of the most famous and beloved icons globally that offers a majestic welcome to those passing through Ellis Island.
The world’s most recognizable landmark, the Statue of Liberty, once called Liberty Enlightening the World, was presented as a gift to America. It was a collaborative effort between France and the United States to commemorate their long-standing friendship.
The statue was created by the French sculptor Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi out of sheets of hammered copper. At the same time, the steel framework was designed by Alexandre-Gustave Eiffel, the man behind the famous Eiffel Tower. It was placed on the top of an American-designed pedestal on a small island in Upper New York Bay, now known as Liberty Island. In 1986, it underwent a significant renovation to commemorate the centennial of its dedication.
The welcoming symbol of freedom and democracy provided a majestic welcome to the millions of immigrants who came to America seeking a new and better life.
Today, the Statue of Liberty is still standing as a symbol of liberty, independence, and democracy that represents all of us with the proudest ideologies of our country.
Facts about Statue of Liberty
Erected in the bay of New York, it is one well-known landmark and the first monumental thing that many tourists witness the French Lady. People travel for miles to see this French Lady who owns her island in the USA. It is the symbols and stories behind this Lady that make her so attractive.
Here are fun facts about the Lady in the Harbor.
She is French
The most famous symbolic statue,the Statue of Liberty, was modeled after Charlotte Bartholdi, the sculptor’s mother.
Her head even spent some time in Paris before it was given a gift to America to celebrate the American Revolution and the friendship between the two countries.
The symbolic spiky hat
The seven spikes on her crown represent the sun, the seven oceans, and the seven continents of the world. This is said to represent the universal concept of “Liberty Enlightening the World.”
An impressive lighthouse
The statue gives a more delicate appearance and serves as a lighthouse for guiding ships and sailors home after a long trip on the ocean. The Lady Liberty holds the torch that could be seen approximately 24 miles out at sea. The torch and tablet are inscribed with the date of the American Declaration of Independence.
Restrictions to explore the torch
Due to minor damages, nobody has been allowed to go into the torch. The torch that Lady Liberty holds now is not the original torch. Due to water leakage, the original torch was removed and displayed in the monument’s museum.
She escaped oppression and slavery.
Due to the pedestal’s height, you cannot see the statue’s feet, but it is surrounded by broken shackles symbolizing the country moving forward from oppression and slavery. Lady Liberty represents Libertas, the Roman goddess of freedom, moving her right foot towards a new, free era.
She is evergreen
Despite harsh weather conditions, the Statue of Liberty is evergreen because of the oxidation of copper that protects the statue and serves as a layer of protection against further deterioration.
Hollywood and Lady Liberty
One of the most well-known icons, the Statue of Liberty, has been destroyed in countless movies over the years. However, the iconic Lady Liberty is still featured in films, television programs, music videos, and video games.
World Heritage Site
Back in 1984, the statue was marked as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. But due to the tragic 9/11 attacks, the statue remained closed for visitors for almost three years, until 3rd August 2004. The Statue of Liberty is visited by an average of 5 million visitors every year.
A fascinating and engaging destination with unique collections and modern galleries offers a remarkable experience. The iconic Statue of Liberty extends to museums and parks that provide a powerful lesson of freedom to the visitors in thought-provoking ways.
