The Statue of Liberty
What is "Lady Liberty"?
The Statue of Liberty is a high-standing sculpture amongst New York City and Jersey City skylines, reaching 305 feet. Representing freedom, she is recognizable around the world, and coveted by the American people. She symbolizes freedom, inspiration, and hope.[1] The Statue of Liberty was dedicated on October 28, 1886. It was designated as a National Monument in 1924.[2]
History
The Statue of Liberty was gifted to the U.S. in 1865 by French Historian Édouard de Laboulaye. France wanted to congratulate the American people on the landmark signing of the Declaration of Independence with this token of friendship. Laboulaye was also moved by the recent abolition of slavery in the United States, aligning with the documented ideals of liberty and freedom.[1]
Laboulaye proclaimed this to the people of France, and l Sculptor Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi happened to be present. Soon after he began workshopping "Liberty Enlightening the World,"[1] he was tasked with creating the exterior of the statue, ensuring it could withstand the test of time in New York Harbor, winds and all.
Designing Liberty
Bartholdi wanted to create a gift that encapsulated all that America was. The outside of Lady Liberty was made out of hammered copper, where as the inside was forged from hard steel and iron pylon. [5] The crown symbolized the light America shined all over the world. The tablet she holds has the inscription "July 4, 1776", to note the day America achieved their independence. The broken shackle and chains on her foot note the end of slavery in the country. The torch is lighting the way for freedom to ring, along with sailors and immigrants finding their way into New York Harbor.
The Statue of Liberty is 151 feet tall and stands on a pedestal that is 154 feet tall, making the height of the entire sculpture 305 feet.[6] The weight of the copper sheets is 62,000 pounds, or 31 tons, and the copper is about the thickness of two pennies and the iron framework is 250,000 pounds, or 125 tons.[6] The statue is not going anywhere soon, withstanding Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and major wind and rain.
Funding
France would be responsible for creating, funding, and assembling the Statue in the United States while the American people would fund and build the pedestal.[1] France charged fees to their people among other fundraising efforts. The United states held events, art, and auctions to aid in raising money. This did not grow as fast as wanted, and Joseph Pulitzer[3] ended up putting an ad in his paper the New York World that in exchange for a donation, Pulitzer printed each donor’s name in the newspaper. 120,000 people donated over $100,000, securing the remaining funds needed for the Statue’s pedestal.[1] Alexandre Gustave Eiffel aided in solving structural issues, fresh off of finishing the Eiffel Tower.[4] He built the structure inside of the statue, making sure it allowed for the copper outside to properly flow in the wind and withstand weather.
Liberty's Journey
The statue took a trans-Atlantic journey, traveling in 350 pieces and 214 crates via boat. It met New York Harbor on June 17, 1885 and was completed in April 1886, built primarily on "Bedloe's Island" along with the pedestal. On October 28, 1886, President Grover Cleveland oversaw the dedication of the Statue of Liberty in front of thousands of spectators.[1] Signifying the friendship between France and America, as well as welcoming immigrants from all over the world to a country of freedom and oppourtunity.
Modern Day
The Lighthouse Board was solely in charge of the Statue of Liberty because it helped navigation for sailors, until 1901. Due to Fort Wood acting as a fully-operational army post, it was placed into the hands of the U.S. War Department. In 1924, the Statue of Liberty became a national monument, being transferred to the National Park Services jurisdiction. Originally named "Bedloe's Island", in 1965 it was renamed Liberty Island and Ellis Island joined to make "the Statue of Liberty National Monument". [5]
The Lady Liberty is known for her copper skin, but by the early 20th century, it oxidized by rain, wind and sun. The now green color of her is called verdigris. [5] While not the original color, Lady Liberty is known and remembered with her green color. Merchindise, Halloween Costumes, and tourism pamphlets from all over the world have her adorning the iconic green.
Recently, Blake Lively attended the Met Ball in New York City in a dress that paid homage to the oxidization of Lady Liberty.
The National Park Services currently watch over Lady Liberty and her island. Thousands of tourists flock daily to see her in real life and explore the history. There are a handful of tours taking off from both New York City as well as Jersey City. Tours are led by a leader on a boat and people have the choice to circle the island, or actually be able to get off an explore. Many take guests to both Ellis Island, as well as Liberty Island. Lady Liberty’s legacy expanded with the opening of the Statue of Liberty Museum in May 2019. Within the Statue of Liberty Museum are three interactive galleries that tell the statue's history in thought-provoking ways.[2]
In the base of the pedestal, there are original artifacts from the building of Lady Liberty, including the original torch. The 1886 torch viewing was ceased for good when German troops set off explosives nearby during World War I, in July 1916. [5] It replaced with a copper torch covered in 24 karat gold that reflects sunlight and is lit at night. [6]
References
[1] https://www.statueofliberty.org/statue-of-liberty/overview-history/
[2] https://www.nps.gov/stli/planyourvisit/visiting-the-museum.htm
[3] https://www.pulitzer.org/page/biography-joseph-pulitzer
[4] https://www.toureiffel.paris/en
[5] https://www.history.com/topics/landmarks/statue-of-liberty
[6] https://bensguide.gpo.gov/j-statue-of-liberty#:~:text=Statue%20of%20Liberty%20facts%20and,by%20an%20internal%20iron%20framework.
