One of the famous tourist attraction and tallest landmark standing, Statue of Liberty, is situated on the Liberty Island in New York, USA. It symbolizes passion for freedom, peace and democracy. It is a icon of celebration. Marking the friendship of two countries, here is the origin and history of the Statue of Liberty.
source-www.theatlantic.com
ORIGIN
Statue of Liberty stands on the Liberty Island in New York Harbor in New York City, US. Created by the French sculptor Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi and Alexandre-Gustave Eiffel, the statue is a gift from France to the US. Therefore, celebrating the deep-rooted friendship of the people of both the Countries.
The skeleton of the statue was made out of iron and steel by Alexandre-Gustave Eiffel. And the skin out of copper sheets by Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi. The pedestal stands eighty nine feet tall (27meter). American architect, Richard Morris Hunt, designed the pedestal, made out of Granite. Meanwhile the pedestal is just over hundred feet (30 meter). United, the statue stands 305 feet tall. It depicts the joint efforts of both the nation. The pedestal on which the statue stands had built in America. Meanwhile, the statue was built in France. In 1884, the construction of the statue completed, waiting to be sailed across the ocean, to America.
The statue was built in parts and then shipped over to America. The statue had over three hundred and fifty pieces and packed in almost two hundred and fourteen crates before it shipped to America. After that assembled as whole over the pedestal was made in America. The pedestal had been built inside the Fort Wood’s wall on Bedloe island. The Bedloe Island’s name changed to Liberty Island in 1956.
In order to build the statue and the pedestal, different fundraising events initiated. Which included various contests, benefits and exhibitions. Meanwhile, to generate the last necessary funds, well-known newspaperman of New York used his newspaper. Each and every person, who donated even the smallest amount, his/her name would feature in the newspaper. By the end of 1879, America raised two hundred and fifty thousand francs.
HISTORY
The idea to build a statue and present it to the America had proposed by French historian Edouard de Laboulaye. In 1865 the American civil war almost came to an end. Therefore, building a statue and gifting it to America symbolized the nation’s success in building democracy. It symbolizes the joint effort put in by the people of France and America. As a result, the statue was built in France and the pedestal on which it stands, in America.
The Statue of Liberty, also known as Liberty Enlightening the World, stands as a perfect example of neoclassical sculpture. The statue depicts a robed Roman liberty Goddess, Libertas. In her right hand, she holds a torch above her head however, carries a votive tablet in her left hand. On the votive tablet, date of the US Declaration of Independence had inscribed in Roman numerals. At her feet lies a broken shackle and chain, as she moves ahead. This portrays the abolition of slavery in America. The seven spikes on the crown depicts the seven continents of the world.
Finally in 1885, Bartholdi finished all the parts of the statue. The dismantled parts of the statue then shipped off to America. Bartholdi then assembled all the parts of the statue in America on the pedestal.
Therefore, on October 28, 1889, President Grover Cleveland officially inaugurated the statue in front of thousand of citizens.
source- www.wallpapercave.com
PRESENT DAY
Ever since the dedication ceremony, the Statue of Liberty still welcomes hundreds of immigrants coming by sea. Being the universal symbol of freedom, democracy, abolition of slavery and friendship between two nations, Statue of Liberty attracts many tourists. UNESCO labelled it as World Heritage Site, in 1984.
Enduring centuries worth of rain, air and wind, the skin of the statue had corroded. Therefore, giving it a distinctive blueish-green colour. Since 1933, the colossal statue is under the care of National Park Service employees.
The original torch of the statue lies within the Statue of Liberty Museum, on Liberty Island. It is one of the most renowned figures in the world and a national treasure. Millions of people who idolize the message it portrays, come to visit its beauty and the history it conveys.
