The Statue of Liberty
A gift from France as a mark of friendship with America, the statue lights the way for travelers
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Coming to America
In the 1900s, millions of people emigrated to the USA. There were many reasons people left their home countries. For some it was harsh conditions, for others there was an economic pull. No matter what the reason this is where most people arrived, greeted by the Statue of Liberty.
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The Statue of “Liberty Enlightening the World” was dedicated on Bedloe’s Island in New York Harbor on October 28, 1886, standing 151 feet tall (154 feet on its pedestal). In recognition of their friendship established during the American Revolution, the Statue was a gift from the people of France to the US. Since its restoration in 1984, it has been a designated World Heritage Site.
Crown Rays
The 7 rays of the crown worn by Liberty represent a sunburst spreading enlightenment and freedom throughout the world. The rays can be seen as a radiant halo, also called an "aureole."
Torch
Liberty’s torch and flame symbolize freedom and democracy enlightening the world. This symbol's importance is reflected in the Statue's official name, "Liberty Enlightening the World." The replacement torch, added in 1986, is made of copper and covered in 24K Gold.
Tablet
The keystone-shaped tablet reads July 4, 1776 to commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Independence. In the same way a keystone supports an arch, liberty supports a free society.
Robe and broken shackles
The Statue wears a robe, or stola, like the goddess "Libertas" who was worshiped by freed slaves in Ancient Rome. Broken chains around her ankles show her forward stride. They also represent the abolition of slavery in the United States.
Pedestal
The Statue’s pedestal, designed by Richard Morris Hunt and completed in 1886, is roughly the height of a 10-story building. It was built partly from donations (over $100,000) raised by the newspaper publisher Joseph Pulitzer in 6 months.
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Fort Wood
The Statue of Liberty’s pedestal sits within the walls of Fort Wood, built between 1808 and 1811 to defend New York Harbor. Shaped like an 11-pointed star, the fort was used by the military as an army post until 1937.
Statue of Liberty, National Monument by Wow-How
Location and construction of the Statue of Liberty
When Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi was designing the Statue in 1871, he selected Bedloe's Island (renamed Liberty Island in 1956) as the site because he wanted the statue to be visible to every ship entering New York Harbor.
Artisans and craftsmen began constructing the Statue in France under Bartholdi’s direction in 1876. The entire Statue was completed and assembled in Paris between 1881 and 1884, and then disassembled, shipped to the U.S., and reassembled after the pedestal’s completion in 1886.
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The Statue of Liberty’s body
Alexandre-Gustave Eiffel, who designed the Eiffel Tower in Paris, completed the design for the internal structure of the Statue. A 92-ft-central pylon serves as the central attachment point for a skeletal system of girders, which forms the Statue’s body.
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Copper skin
The Statue’s copper skin is only 3/32 of an inch thick (the width of 2 pennies). It was shaped using the repoussé technique; craftsmen shape lightweight copper sheets by hammering them into wooden forms or molds. When copper is exposed to oxygen, it undergoes a chemical reaction called oxidation. This reaction forms a fine, green crust. It took about 30 years for the Statue to turn from her copper color to the green we see today.
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The Statue of Liberty has been shining a light for travellers arriving in New York for over 150 years. Learn more about how migrants in the early 20th Century arrived at Ellis Island in New York.
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