Statue of Liberty
Have you been to New York, United States of America? One of the finest beauties to notice is The Statue of Liberty (known as Liberty Enlightening the World). Everyone gets awestruck by the colossal statue! The Statue of Liberty is situated on Liberty Island in New York (Upper Bay, New York, USA).
But what does it represent? What is the history behind the statue?
Here are some quick facts about The Statue of Liberty:
- It commemorates the friendship between the USA and France.
- The statue is 305 feet high with a pedestal.
- It represents a woman holding a torch in her right hand that is raised. On the other hand, she’s holding a tablet bearing the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.
- The torch measures 29 feet from the flame top to the bottom handle.
- It is fixed via a service ladder inside the arm. The ladder is about 42 feet.
- You can visit the statue via elevator. This carried visitors to the observation deck on the pedestal. It may also be reached via a stairway.
- A spiral staircase leads to the figure’s crown. It has an observation platform.
- A plaque is inscribed on the pedestal with a sonnet called The New Colossus. It was done by Emma Lazarus and was written to help raise money for the pedestal.
Interesting Facts About the Statue of Liberty
The idea of the statue of liberty began as a symbol of friendship, but it has now become American history’s prestigious gift. Today, the sign signifies spirit and hope. It instills a belief in people that nothing is lost and everything is achievable.
The place was established in 1886, on 28th October but got its designation as a National Monument in 1924. Here are some exciting things about the Statue of Liberty that we bet you didn’t know:
1. Representation of a Roman Goddess
This statue has its name derived from a Roman Goddess – Libertas. She was a roman deity who believed in freedom. She is a symbol in Rome till now. All the roman coins have her on the front, which began when Julius Caesar was assassinated. Libertas image on the coins is a representation of liberty.
2. Spikes of the Crown
Did you know that the crown’s spikes on Libertas are all the continents and oceans? There are seven spikes, each one representing a particular ocean and continent. This represents Libertas’ message of freedom and inclusivity.
3. Struck by 600 Lightening Every Year
Imagine any building getting struck by lightning once, it is terrifying, isn’t it? But not for the Statue of Liberty. It is standing extremely tall, which is why there is more exposure to all the natural elements. It receives 600 lightning bolts every year. Not only that but the torch that the lady is holding with pride swings by 5 inches to the side, as soon as there is high wind!
4. Face is Moulded with Artist’s Mother
Everyone looks closely at the face of the Statue of Liberty. But nobody knows that the face is actually molded with the mother of Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi. He was the artist who designed it. Now that is a beautiful dedication to your parent.
5. Gustave Eiffel Helped
This statue was the dream of Edouard de Laboulaye and was sculpted by Frederic-Auguste. But all the framework inside was designed by Gustave Eiffel; the man who built our beloved Paris’ Eiffel Tower.
Things to Explore
When you visit the Statue of Liberty, you can spend an entire day here! There are various fascinating things.
- You can visit the crown (of course, you need reservations).
- You can go to the Pedestal that has access to the balcony. Just climb a few stairs!
- You can visit here and learn all about the upcoming projects.
- You can explore the Liberty Museum to learn more about history.
So, planning a trip to the Statue of Liberty? Spend an entire day here and observe its intricate detailing. This place is something you should visit at least once in your lifetime!
