The Statue of Liberty came to the United States as a gift from the people of France. When President Cleveland dedicated the statue on October 28, 1886, New York office workers unrolled financial ribbons out their windows. [1] This started the trendy ticker-tape parade that is unique to New York.
How Did It Get Here?
Americans raised funds to cover the cost. In 1885 more than 120,000 people donated funds to complete the pedestal. Although originally built in France, it was shipped piece by piece to America. It was shipped in 350 pieces in 214 crates. After arriving, the pieces waited on Bedloe’s Island for the completion of the pedestal. Bedloe’s Island is commonly named Liberty Island. At the dedication ceremony, fireworks were supposed to be set off but were postponed due to inclement weather.
Who Had A Part In The Making?
It was designed by Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi while Frederic Eiffel built the metal framework. The French hoped it would inspire in their own people a call for their own democracy. They chose Bedloe’s island which is now named Liberty Island, because of all of the ships that sailed past. “The New Colossus” was presented to the statue in 1903.
Symbolism
The Statue of Liberty is Lady Liberty, a statue that welcomes immigrants arriving by sea. Her crown represents light with its rays signifying Liberty enlightens the world [2]. There are seven rays which represent the seven continents. The tablet has July 4, 1776, our Declaration of Independence, inscribed on it. This demonstrates liberty. The broken chain under her feet to symbolize the end of slavery.
Changes Throughout The Years
When the statue arrived, it was copper, the color of a penny. In twenty years it changed to a greenish-blue that we see today. The statue has a new lighting system. Also, the torch was closed to visitors in 1916. In 1956 Bedloe’s Island was named officially Liberty Island, as we know it today.
Notes:
- ^https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/51521/10-statue-of-liberty-facts (go back ↩)
- ^https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statue_of_Liberty (go back ↩)
