The Statue of Liberty
Given to America by the French as a commemoration of international relations, the independence of America, and general friendship, the Statue of Liberty is one of the most recognizable monuments in the world. Located in New York Harbor, New York City, the statue famously greeted immigrants from around the world as they entered the U.S. through Ellis Island. It was designed by the French in the late 1800s, and still stands today as a majestic symbol of welcoming and friendship.
Sculptor Frederic Bartholdi was inspired by the sheer scale of the Suez Canal and a massive lighthouse that drew boats inward. Bartholdi designed the statue to resemble the Roman goddess of Liberty, in majestic, flowing robes. The statue’s stern face was modeled after Bartholdi’s mother who he was close with. It was initially intended for another project in Egypt, but that fell through, and Bartholdi pitched the design to the U.S. government. It was accepted enthusiastically, and construction began.
The statue itself took three years to construct in France. Bartholdi had already made numerous comprehensive sketches of the model, so actual physical work could commence quickly. Initially, a small bronze model was made. Then, plaster casts were painstakingly created so that bronze could be poured with facility and accuracy. At long last, the pieces were forged of top-quality French quarry copper. In 1885 the fragmented pieces of the soon to be majestic statue was shipped in pieces to the United States, where it resides now.
Financing problems plagued the project. Some people viewed the placement of a giant French statue in an American harbor with trepidation. Thus, it was difficult to get people to cough up the large sum needed for assembly and other costs. The American community had still not recovered from the shock of civil war and needed to learn to trust itself before it could trust outside influences. Despite this, in 1886, the pedestal for the statue was completed, and huge iron beams were set to create the framework for Madame Liberté. It took a relatively short four months to assemble the bronze pieces that had been shipped over from France. Once assembled, the Statue was received with much fanfare. To this day, it is an indefatigable tourist attraction. It is an omnipresent fixture in New York and visible in countless movies, television shows, magazines, and other social media.
Initially bronze, the Statue of Liberty succumbed to the elements and is now an unmistakable shade of green. The original torch was replaced in 1986 to preserve its beauty. It functioned as a lighthouse for a few years, until a damaging explosion forced the torch to be closed to visitors. Emma Lazarus’ famous sonnet, The New Colossus, is engraved on a bronze plate at the pedestal and was commissioned for the statue. It is located in proximity to the American Museum of Immigration. The Statue of Liberty has stood for over a hundred years as an icon of hope and inspiration for people of all nations, not just entering and leaving New York but the United States.
