Sculpture of the Statue of Liberty. Symbol of freedom and democracy - Statue of Liberty in New York
The observation deck at the crown of the Statue of Liberty in New York opens today.
The Statue of Liberty, full name "Liberty Enlightening the World" is one of the most famous sculptures in the USA and in the world, often called the "symbol of New York and the USA", "a symbol of freedom and democracy ", "Lady Liberty".
The Statue of Liberty is located on Liberty Island, approximately 3 km southwest of the southern tip of Manhattan, one of the boroughs of New York. Until 1956, the island was called Bedloe's Island.
The Statue of Liberty is a gift from the French people to the United States in honor of the centenary of American independence and as a sign of friendship between the two states.
The idea for this symbol came from the French scientist, lawyer and abolitionist Edouard de Laboulaye back in the late 1860s. He proceeded from the fact that America and France were connected by old friendly ties. France provided moral and material support to the American struggle for independence - the French General Lafayette even became a national hero of the United States. The statue was intended as a gift for the centennial anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 1876. With this gift, the French wanted to express their admiration for the great republic on the other side of the Atlantic. The French sculptor Frederic Bartholdi was commissioned to create the statue. His Statue of Liberty was inspired by Delacroix's famous painting "Liberty Leading the People to the Barricades." The internal supporting structure of the tower was made by Gustave Eiffel, the future creator Eiffel Tower.
Work on the statue was completed in France in July 1884. The statue was constructed from thin sheets of copper hammered into wooden molds. The formed sheets were then installed on a steel frame.
In June 1885, the statue was delivered to New York Harbor aboard the French frigate Isere. "Lady Liberty" was transported from France to the United States in disassembled form - it was divided into 350 parts, packed in 214 boxes. Assembling the statue on the pedestal took four months.
On September 11, 2001, as a result of the terrorist attack on the World Shopping mall The Statue of Liberty and the island were closed to the public.
The interior of the statue remains closed to the public, but the iron frame created by Gustave Eiffel can be seen through the glass separator.
In May 2009, it was announced that the Crown Observation Deck of the Statue of Liberty would reopen to tourists on July 4, 2009.
At the very beginning, the statue was not green, it turned green due to atmospheric conditions, the main one being acid rain.
The torch we see today is not the historical torch from 1886. It was replaced during the 1984 - 1986 renovation as its restoration was considered inappropriate. The original torch was modified quite extensively in 1916. Today this torch is displayed in a museum located inside the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty.
In 1883, American poet Emma Lazarus wrote the sonnet "The New Colossus", dedicated to the Statue of Liberty. 20 years later, in 1903, it was engraved on a bronze plate and attached to the outside of the pedestal. The last lines of the sonnet in the Russian translation sound like this: “...Give me your tired people, All those who long to breathe freely, abandoned in need, From the close shores of the persecuted, the poor and the orphans, So send them, homeless and exhausted, to me. I raise my torch is at the Golden Gate!"
The following coins were minted with the image of the Statue of Liberty: November 11, 1922 - 15 cent coin; June 24, 1954 - 3 cent coin; April 9, 1954 - 8 cent coin and June 11, 1961 - 11 cent coin.
The New York 25-cent coin, minted in 2001, features the Statue of Liberty with the words “Gateway to Freedom.”
Since 1984, the Statue of Liberty has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
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The sculpture is a gift from France for the 1876 World's Fair and the centenary of American independence. The statue holds a torch in its right hand and a tablet in its left. The inscription on the tablet reads “English. JULY IV MDCCLXXVI" (written in Roman numerals for the date "July 4, 1776"), this date is the day of the United States Declaration of Independence. “Freedom” stands with one foot on broken shackles.
Visitors walk 356 steps to the crown of the Statue of Liberty or 192 steps to the top of the pedestal. There are 25 windows in the crown, which symbolize the earthly gems and heavenly rays illuminating the world. The seven rays on the crown of the statue symbolize the seven seas and seven continents (the Western geographical tradition counts exactly seven continents).
The total weight of copper used to cast the statue is 31 tons, and the total weight of its steel structure is 125 tons. The total weight of the concrete base is 27,000 tons. The thickness of the copper coating of the statue is 2.57 mm.
The height from the ground to the tip of the torch is 93 meters, including the base and pedestal. The height of the statue itself, from the top of the pedestal to the torch, is 46 meters.
The statue was constructed from thin sheets of copper hammered into wooden molds. The formed sheets were then installed on a steel frame.
The statue is usually open to visitors, usually arriving by ferry. The crown, accessible by stairs, offers expansive views of New York Harbor. The museum, located in the pedestal, houses an exhibition on the history of the statue. The museum can be reached by elevator.
The territory of Liberty Island was originally part of the State of New Jersey, subsequently administered by New York, and is currently administered by the Federal Government. Until 1956, the island was called Bedloe's Island. Bedloe's Island), although it was also called the “Island of Freedom” since the beginning of the 20th century.
Statue of Liberty in numbers
Sculpture parts Meters Height from ground to top of torch 93 m Statue height 33.86 m Hand length 5.00 m Index finger length 2.44 m Head from crown to chin 5.26 m Face width 3.05 m Eye length 0.76 m Nose length 1.37 m Right arm length 12.80 m Right arm thickness 3.66 m Waist thickness 10.67 m Mouth width 0.91 m Sign height 7.19 m Sign width 4.14 m Plaque thickness 0.61 m Height from ground to top of pedestal 46.94 m Making a statue
The idea of creating the monument is attributed to Edouard René Lefebvre de Laboulaye, a prominent French thinker, writer and politician, president of the French anti-slavery society. According to the French sculptor Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi, it was expressed in a conversation with him in mid-1865 under the impression of the victory of anti-slavery forces in the American Civil War. Although this was not a specific proposal, the idea inspired the sculptor.
The repressive political situation during the reign of Napoleon III in France did not allow the implementation of the idea. In the late 1860s, Bartholdi briefly managed to interest the ruler of Egypt, Ismail Pasha, in the construction of a huge statue reminiscent of the Colossus of Rhodes. The statue was originally planned to be installed in Port Said under the name The Light Of Asia, but ultimately the Egyptian government decided that transporting the structure from France and installing it was too costly for the Egyptian economy.
It was intended as a gift for the centenary of the Declaration of Independence in 1876. By mutual agreement, America was to build the pedestal, and France was to create the statue and install it in the United States. However, there was a shortage of money on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. In France, charitable donations, along with various entertainment events and a lottery, raised 2.25 million francs. In the United States, theatrical performances, art exhibitions, auctions and boxing matches were held to raise funds.
Bartholdi was commissioned to create the statue. According to one version, Bartholdi even had a French model: the beautiful, recently widowed Isabella Boyer, wife of Isaac Singer, creator and entrepreneur in the field of sewing machines.
Meanwhile, in France, Bartholdi needed the help of an engineer to solve the design issues associated with the construction of such a giant copper sculpture. Gustave Eiffel (the future creator of the Eiffel Tower) was commissioned to design a massive steel support and intermediate support frame that would allow the copper shell of the statue to move freely while maintaining an upright position. Eiffel handed over the detailed developments to his assistant, the experienced structural engineer Maurice Koechlin. Copper for the statue was purchased from existing stocks at the company's warehouses Société des métaux entrepreneur Eugene Secretan. Its origins have not been documented, but research in 1985 showed that it was mainly mined in Norway on the island of Karmøy. The legend about copper supplies from Russia was verified by enthusiasts, but was not confirmed. Besides, railways in Ufa and Nizhny Tagil construction was carried out later; Accordingly, the version of ore supplies cannot be taken seriously. It is also noteworthy that the concrete base under the statue is made of German cement. The Dickerhoff firm won a tender to supply cement for the construction of the foundation of the Statue of Liberty in New York, which was to become the world's largest concrete structure at that time.
Even before the completion of the design work, Bartholdi organized in the workshop Gaget, Gauthier & Co the beginning of work on making the right hand of the statue holding a torch.
In May 1876, Bartholdi participated as part of the French delegation to the World's Fair in Philadelphia and organized the display of numerous paintings of the statue at celebrations in New York dedicated to this exhibition. Due to a delay in registration, the hand of the statue was not included in the catalogs of exhibits at the exhibition, however, it was shown to visitors and made a strong impression. Visitors had access to the torch balcony, from where they could admire the panoramic view of the fairgrounds. In reports it was called “Colossal Hand” and “Bartholdi’s Electric Light”. After the exhibition ended, the hand with the torch was transported from Philadelphia to New York and was installed in Madison Square, where it stood for several years until its temporary return to France to join the rest of the statue.
The location for the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor, approved by an Act of Congress in 1877, was chosen by General William Sherman, taking into account the wishes of Bartholdi himself, on Bedloe's Island, where a star-shaped fort had stood since the beginning of the 19th century.
Fundraising for the pedestal proceeded slowly, and Joseph Pulitzer (of Pulitzer Prize fame) issued an appeal in his World newspaper to support fundraising for the project.
By August 1885, funding problems for the pedestal, designed by American architect Richard Morris Hunt, had been resolved and the first stone was laid on August 5. Construction was completed on April 22, 1886. Into massive masonry the pedestal has two square lintels made of steel bars built into it; they are connected by steel anchor beams that extend upward to become part of the Eiffel frame of the statue itself. Thus, the statue and the pedestal are one.
The statue was completed by the French in July 1884 and delivered to New York Harbor on June 17, 1885, aboard the French frigate Isere. For transportation, the statue was disassembled into 350 parts and packed into 214 boxes. (Her right hand with a torch, completed earlier, had already been exhibited at the World's Fair in Philadelphia and then in Madison Square in New York.) The statue was assembled on its new base in four months. The inauguration of the Statue of Liberty, which was attended by US President Grover Cleveland, took place on October 28, 1886 in the presence of thousands of spectators. As a French gift for the centenary of the American Revolution, it was ten years late.
The national monument, the Statue of Liberty, officially celebrated its centennial on October 28, 1986.
Statue as a cultural monument
The statue was placed on a granite pedestal inside Fort Wood, built for the War of 1812, whose walls are laid out in the shape of a star. The US Lighthouse Service was responsible for maintaining the statue until 1901. After 1901, this mission was entrusted to the War Department. By presidential proclamation of October 15, 1924, Fort Wood (and the statue on its grounds) was declared a national monument, the boundaries of which coincided with the boundaries of the fort.
On October 28, 1936, at the 50th anniversary of the unveiling of the statue, US President Franklin Roosevelt said: “Freedom and peace are living things. For them to continue to exist, each generation must protect them and put new life into them.”
In 1933, maintenance of the national monument was transferred to the Service national parks. On September 7, 1937, the national monument was enlarged to cover all of Bedlow Island, which was renamed Liberty Island in 1956. On May 11, 1965, Ellis Island was also transferred to the National Park Service and became part of the Statue of Liberty National Memorial. In May 1982, President Ronald Reagan appointed Lee Iacocca to lead a private sector effort to restore the Statue of Liberty. The restoration raised $87 million through a partnership between the National Park Service and the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Corporation, which became the most successful public-private collaboration in American history. In 1984, at the beginning of work on its restoration, the Statue of Liberty was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. On July 5, the restored Statue of Liberty was reopened to visitors during Liberty Weekend, celebrating her centennial.
Statue and security
The staircase to the torch was closed for safety reasons in 1916. In 1986, the statue was restored, and its damaged and corroded torch was moved to the main entrance and replaced with a new one, plated in 24-karat gold.
The statue, including the pedestal and base, was closed on October 29, 2011, the day after the statue's 125th anniversary, to allow for the installation of new elevators and stairs. Although the Statue of Liberty has been closed to the public, Liberty Island remains open to the public. Exactly one year after it was closed for repairs and the installation of a new complex escalator, on October 28, 2012, full access to the statue was opened up to the crown.
Images of the statue are widely used in the symbolism of regional organizations and institutions in the United States. In New York State, her outline was on license plates. Vehicle between 1986 and 2000. New York Liberty, a professional women's basketball team in the Women's National Basketball Association's Eastern Conference, uses the Statue's name in its name and its image in its logo, which associates the statue's flame with basketball. Liberty's Head has been featured on the NHL's New York Rangers' alternate jerseys since 1997. The National Collegiate Athletic Association used the statue as its logo for the 1996 Men's Basketball Finals. The emblem of the US Libertarian Party uses a stylized image of the torch of Liberty.
Reproductions
Hundreds of reproductions are exhibited in various parts of the world. A copy of the quarter size of the original, donated to the city of Paris by the American Society, is installed facing west, towards the main statue, on the Swan Island of the Seine. The nine-meter replica, which for many years adorned the top of the Liberty Warehouse building on 64th Street in Manhattan, is now on display on the grounds of the Brooklyn Museum. The American Scouts, in celebration of its fortieth anniversary in 1949–1952, donated about two hundred pressed copper copies, 2.5 m high, to various American states and municipalities.
see also
- Statue of Liberty in Moscow (1918-1941).
Other Tallest Sculptures
Notes
- Statue of Liberty (in NYC).
The Statue of Liberty or Lady Liberty is one of the recognizable symbols of the United States. Architectural monument, donated by the French to the American government in the 19th century, is located near New York.
Over time, the monument began to symbolize liberation from slavery and democracy. It was he who instilled hope in many Europeans who immigrated to the country at the beginning of the 20th century.
The statue is located on the island of the same name. Previously called Bedloe. It is located 3 kilometers from the city. Manhattan is closest to the obelisk. Because of this location, all ships entering the port first encounter the monument.
Who is she
There is only one theory why it is called that. This monument represents the independence of the people and the victory of democracy.
Significance
Initially, it denoted the strong friendship between the United States and France. However, later the meaning changed. A significant role in this was played by immigrants who, at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries, rushed from Europe to New World looking for better life. It was the inhabitants of the Old World who changed the meaning of the symbol of peace in their own way. The statue turned into a memorial that emphasized the main features: the unity of the nation and independence.
This is what immigrants from Europe strived for, who, arriving on ships at the port, saw first it, and then the North American soil.
General information and description
There are many facts about sculpture. It is known for certain who and when worked on this monument, the exact dimensions, purpose and more. For more than 100 years, it has become a full-fledged designation of the United States, appearing on banknotes, stamps, and souvenirs. At the same time, there are similar facilities in other countries. In Russia - the Motherland calls, in Japan - Buddha, who surpass her in size.
https://youtu.be/x1OXesLVWPg
Creator and Architect
The concept was born in the mind of Edouard René Lefebvre, a French writer and politician. However, the architect Frederic Auguste Bartholdi was assigned to implement the project, who not only created, but also designed the obelisk on Bedlow Island. Gustave Eiffel also took part in the project, from whose hand came the famous tower, which received the name of the famous French architect.
The Statue of Liberty, made in the form of a woman wearing a spacious cape, is distinguished by the following features:
- in the right hand, which rises above the head of the big Lady, there is a torch;
- in the left hand there is a tablet with Roman numerals;
- one foot steps on the shackles, which symbolizes the fight for the abolition of slavery;
- There is a crown on the head.
Along the crown, the architects placed windows that offer views of New York Bay and Manhattan Island.
Architectural style
The main emblem of the New World is made in the neoclassical style.
What does it rely on?
The 45-meter colossus is installed on a pedestal in which the museum is open today. The foundation was designed by Bartholdi, but built by the Americans.
Where is he looking?
There are several theories explaining where the Lady's “look” is directed. Some suggest that she looks at the whole world. Others claim that the “eyes” are turned towards. But in reality, the “look” is directed to the upper New York Bay, through which immigrants arrived in the United States.
What is it made of?
It is made of metal mined in Russia. The copper used in its creation was sent from Bashkiria to France. Steel was used for the frame. The pedestal under the Lady is cast from German cement.
Color
Despite its wide popularity, many do not know what color it is. In some photographs she appears white. However, the original color was red-brown. Under the influence of time and oxidative processes, the copper from which the Lady is made acquired a green tint.
Height and weight
The total height including the torch is 93 meters. These dimensions take into account the pedestal on which the Lady stands. The base stretched to a height of 47 meters, and the colossus - 46 meters. The total weight of the structure reaches 156 tons. It took 27 thousand tons of concrete mixture to make the base.
What is written on the sign
On the tablet that the colossus “holds”, the date 06/04/1776 is carved in Roman numerals. On this day the country officially gained independence.
Crown
The crown contains 7 rays. According to the ideas of the 19th century, this is how many continents the Earth has.
Length of individual elements
The individual elements of the sculpture differ in the following dimensions:
- brush - 5 m;
- distance from crown to chin - 5.26 m;
- index finger - 2.44 meters;
- one eye - 76 centimeters;
- face width - 3.05 meters;
- mouth width - 91 cm;
- nose length - 1.37 meters;
- arm's length - 12.8, and thickness - 3.66 meters;
- waist thickness - 10.67 m.
In the Lady’s hand there is a plate with dimensions of 7.19 x 4.14 meters. The thickness of this element is 61 cm.
What is inside
When looking at the Statue of Liberty from the inside, it becomes clear that the monument is hollow. Here, between the metal frame, there is a stanza with 356 steps leading to the crown. You can also go upstairs by elevator.
Story
Lefebvre, who came up with the concept of such a sculpture, announced his idea back in 1865. Then the famous French thinker, inspired by the fight against slavery, came up with the idea of creating a monument that could reflect this event. Moreover, initially they planned to send the obelisk to an island located in the Suez Canal. However, insufficient funding and interest from the United States led to the emergence of an architectural miracle.
Idea
After the project of sending it to Egypt was curtailed, the French decided to time the creation to coincide with the centennial anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Creation
According to the terms of the agreement, French engineers were to create the colossus, and American engineers were to prepare the pedestal. The first drawings appeared back in 1870. However, it took more than 10 years to complete the structure.
6 years after the start of work, Bartholdi brought a full-fledged hand holding a torch to an exhibition held in Philadelphia. This event excited the public, which made it possible to find additional sources of funding.
Year of construction
As mentioned, more than 10 years passed from the idea to the implementation of the project. During this time, French and American engineers, as well as other persons involved in the creation, were engaged not only in the construction of the structure, but also in raising funds. As a result, thanks to the efforts of many people, the project was completed in 1886, 10 years after the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration. The President of the United States was present at the opening.
It is noteworthy in this situation that during the installation of the structure on the pedestal, Bartholdi made mistakes in his own calculations several times. Therefore, it took 4 months to complete the assembly.
Financial issue
Even before construction began, the architects faced difficulties: there was not enough money to implement the project. The French and American sides had to resort to different methods to attract financing.
Residents were reluctant to part with their funds. Even numerous charity events, lotteries and other events designed to help raise money have failed to attract sufficient funding. Journalists got involved and in newspaper articles called on the middle class to give money to the architects to complete the project. In part, it was the lack of finance that led to a significant delay in the implementation of the idea.
Parisian trace
The main part of the structure of the future symbol was erected in France. In addition to Bartholdi and Eiffel, the country's best engineers joined the project. However, as mentioned earlier, due to lack of funding, the monument was built only in 1884.
Construction
The American side began construction of the pedestal later than their French colleagues. But by 1885, both groups of engineers completed construction and began to reunite the two parts. The process dragged on for 4 months, during which it was necessary to make adjustments to the calculations more than once.
The publication
The official opening took place on October 28, 1886. Only men were allowed to attend the event. The only woman was Bartholdi's wife.
During the creation process, the sculpture acquired various legends. Among those confirmed by facts, the following can be distinguished:
- the obelisk arrived in the United States disassembled;
- At first it was planned to install on an island near the city a figure of a farmer, one hand holding a torch;
- the project was initially developed for Egypt, but later, due to lack of funds, the monument was sent to the New World;
- according to some assumptions, Bartholdi copied the face of the statue from his mother;
- in the 19th century the pedestal was considered the largest concrete object in the world;
- at the opening of the symbol, only two female representatives were present, and one of them was an eight-year-old girl;
- In the first years of its opening, tourists were allowed to climb the torch; access was closed in 1916.
Due to the location in the bay Atlantic Ocean where they often rise strong winds, the torch regularly deviates from its original position by 12, and the monument by 7 cm.
What happened over the years
In the first years after its opening, a beacon was built into the torch. But due to the design features, this solution had to be abandoned. Later, the sculpture came under the control of the War Department and the National Park Service. Currently, federal authorities are in charge of the issues. 100 years after its creation, the authorities decided to carry out a large-scale restoration, allocating $2 billion for this purpose.
Over the course of a century, it was closed to tourists three times: 1962-1986, 2001-2004 and 2013. It is noteworthy that at first the island on which it was installed belonged to New Jersey. But later the reins of control over the memorial passed into the hands of city authorities.
Comparison
The Statue of Liberty in New York, although it reaches a height of 93 meters, is not the largest obelisk. Figures “scattered” all over the world can challenge this title. Above the symbol are the Moscow, Japanese Buddhas and the Colossus of Peter the Great on the Moscow River. And if we consider only the sculpture, without taking into account the pedestal, then the Volgograd and Kiev Motherland also surpass Lady Liberty.
Place in culture
The meaning of an object is difficult to fully convey. It is reflected on state papers and in works of art. You can find stylistic images in other countries or on the emblems of US organizations.
In poetry
The first mention of it in poems appeared 3 years before the official opening. Poet Emma Lazarus wrote a poem about the statue, which was then carved into a plaque and attached to the pedestal. Later writers mentioned it more than once in their own works, constantly drawing associations with will and independence.
Images
Images of the whole or individual parts of the sculpture regularly appear on American dollars and cents and postage stamps. The US Federal Reserve issued commemorative bills and coins dedicated to various events, including the 100th anniversary of the symbol.
Images of the monument are found on the emblems of NHL and NBA sports clubs. The Libertian Party also used it on their own logos.
Reproductions
They started copying Lady Liberty a long time ago. There are 10 stylized copies in the country alone. In Paris, not far from, in the 80s of the last century, an official reproduction of the monument measuring 11 meters appeared.
The smallest reproduction is installed in the Ukrainian city of Uzhgorod. The height of this sculpture does not exceed 30 centimeters, and the weight reaches four kilograms.
Similar reproductions can be found in Lviv, Tokyo and other cities.
Dating using webcams
In many megacities, cameras are installed on the streets, near important objects, connected to the Internet and allowing users from anywhere in the world to view the sights of a particular country through a computer screen. This trend has not escaped the United States of America either.
New York authorities installed a camera near it, through which users from all over the world can see what is happening near the monument at any time of the day. Moreover, another video recorder is installed on the torch, which provides access to Manhattan Island.
You can view the views from these cameras using this link.
How to get there
To inspect main symbol USA, you need to come to New York and get to Manhattan. Ferries run from here to the island on which the sculpture is located. regular flights. The journey takes a few minutes, since the monument is 3 kilometers away from Manhattan.
Opening hours
You can visit the museum, organized in a pedestal, and climb the crown to survey the outskirts of the metropolis and Manhattan from 9 to 16:30. IN summer time the operating mode is extended. You need to remember that the last ferry leaves the island at half past three. December 25 is the only day of the year when access to the crown is closed.
Prices
The cost of visiting varies depending on the age of tourists. Persons over 13 years old need to pay $18.5 for entry, children from 4 to 12 years old - $9. Tourists over 62 years of age visit the monument for $14. Children under four years old can enter for free.
Frederic Auguste Bartholdi, who allowed France his creation to America, which did not remain in debt. On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the French American government, the American government presented Paris with a reduced Statue of Liberty, created by the same Bartholdi. The French installed a copy at the Grenelle Bridge, becoming the second owners of freedom and democracy.
The original name of the Statue of Liberty, given to the Americans, was “Liberty Lighting the World.”
The crown on the head of the American statue has seven rays, each of which symbolizes 7 continents and 7 oceans. The windows in the crown (25 pieces) symbolize 25 natural minerals, and the toga of the statue symbolizes the Republic of Rome and Ancient Greece. The torch held in the hand is a symbol of Enlightenment, and the book in the second hand symbolizes the Book of Laws. At the feet of the statue lie broken chains, symbolizing victory over tyranny.
USA symbol
The Statue of Liberty was delivered to the New York City port in the summer of 1886 on the frigate Isere. When disassembled, the monument consisted of three hundred and fifty bronze parts, which were packed in two hundred and fourteen boxes. The statue was assembled over four months without the use of various external structures - at the first stage, workers erected a metal frame to which parts of the monument were attached.
In total, three hundred thousand special bronze rivets were used to assemble the Statue of Liberty.
Before the outbreak of World War I, America considered the statue of Columbia its symbol, but the huge revenue from the sale of posters depicting the Statue of Liberty made the monument of the French sculptor a favorite. Lady Liberty was declared a National Monument on October 15, 1924.
In the fall of 1972, the Museum of the Settlement of America opened at the base of the monument, where visitors to this day can trace the history of the country, from the Indians who are its indigenous inhabitants to the numerous immigrants who have come to America since the beginning of the 20th century.
Today you can see the Statue of Liberty with your own eyes by taking a free ride on The Staten Island Ferry, which runs between Manhattan and Staten Island. Also great view The monument opens from Battery Park in Brooklyn and the Brooklyn restaurant Red Hook's Fairway Café.
But not for US residents.
This statue is to them was donated by the French government in honor of the 100th anniversary of the American Revolution. Since then, Bedloe's Island, on which Lady Liberty is installed, is now called Liberty Island.
In English the name sounds like Statue of Liberty, and is literally translated into Russian as the Statue of Liberty.
The Statue of Liberty stands on broken chains. In her left hand is a tablet, on which is written a significant date for America (the day the US Declaration of Independence was signed - July 4, 1776). In her other hand she has a torch, which personifies the light that illuminates the path to freedom.
For your information! To reach the crown, tourists have to climb 356 steps. But it's worth it, because having climbed to the top, from the main observation deck Simply incredible spaces open up. There are 25 windows here, which are symbols of precious stones.
You can visit the museum inside the statue and learn the long journey of creating America's main attraction. You can get to the museum using an elevator.
What does the statue symbolize and mean?
The Statue of Liberty got its name for a reason. This symbol of freedom of the American people. It personifies and means the victory of democracy and the independence of the country.
History of creation
What was the idea for creating the statue?
The main reason for creating the statue was declaration of independence of the United States of America which occurred on July 4, 1776.What year was it built?
Solemn o The opening of the sculpture took place on October 28, 1886. The ceremony was attended by US President Grover Cleveland.
An interesting fact is that only men were present at this event, despite the fact that the statue symbolized democracy. As an exception, there could be several women on the island, among whom was Bartholdi’s wife.
Who is the creator and architect?
The author of the project and creator of the Statue of Liberty is French sculptor and architect Frederic Bartholdi. The French engineer Alexander Gustave Eiffel, creator of the Eiffel Tower, participated in the creation and design of the frame and strengthening elements.
Interesting fact! But both Americans and French took part in the construction of the monument. For example, the star-shaped pedestal is the design of the American architect Richard Morris Hunt.
How was the construction and installation?
History tells that body parts of the future Lady Liberty were cast in France, but the pedestal was created in America. Over the course of 4 months, the connection of the statue took place. Bartholdi made mistakes in his calculations several times.
The fact is that the materials allocated for the construction of the monument turned out to be insufficient. To solve financial problems, charity evenings were organized, the main purpose of which was to raise money to buy materials.
Americans were reluctant to give their money, as a result of which the famous American journalist Joseph Pulitzer wrote a couple of articles in the newspaper in which he called on the upper and middle classes to take part in the construction of a symbol of American freedom.By this time, the French had completed half of their work, and the finished parts of the statue were sent to America.
What happened to the statue over the years until our time?
Originally the Statue of Liberty was supposed to be used as a lighthouse. But the lamps built into the structure were not too powerful. No practical use was found for the statue, so in 1921 the monument was transferred to the US War Department, and in 1933 - to the US National Park Service.
Note! For the 100th anniversary of the creation of the monument, a total reconstruction was carried out. This was President Reagan's decision. All funds for reconstruction were collected from American citizens. $2 million was spent on renovations.
Throughout the existence of the statue, the period of its visit changed several times. Excursions were not conducted in the following years:
- for the period from 1982 to 1986 (reconstruction);
- from September 2001 to the end of 2004 (due to the threat of terrorist attacks);
- in October 2013 (government activities suspended).
Which country gave the statue to the USA?
The Statue of Liberty was given to America by the French government in honor of the 100th anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence.The giant monument was planned to be presented on July 4, 1876. Due to shortage Money this celebration had to be postponed.
Where is?
The monument is located in the USA on Liberty Island, which is located in the state of New Jersey in 3 km southwest of the coast of the New York borough of Manhattan.
The map shows the exact location of the monument; the scale can be increased and decreased:
The territory of Liberty Island was originally part of the State of New Jersey, and was subsequently administered by the City of New York, and currently under federal control.
What is he holding in his hands?
The Statue of Liberty is one of the world's most famous masterpieces.
In her right hand she has a torch, and in her left, a sign with an inscription.
What is written on the sign in your hand?
In his right hand there is a tablet with the date written on it important event for the people of America - Independence Day of the United States of America.
Characteristics
Height
Lady Liberty's dimensions are quite impressive. Its height to the top of the torch is 93 meters.
How many rays are there on the crown?
There are 25 viewing windows on the crown. They are a symbol of America's wealth. But the rays that come out of it (7 pieces), represent the seven continents and seas. In addition, they symbolize the expansion of freedom in all directions.
How much does the monument weigh?
The weight of one Lady Liberty marigold is 1.5 kg, and the entire monument weighs 225 tons.
What is it made of?
Manufacturing material - copper. To cast the “lady” it took about 31 tons.
Length of the nose and other elements
Here are the main ones dimensions of the main elements of the face:
- head - 5.26 m;
- nose length – 1.37 m;
- eyes – 0.76 m;
- arm length – 12.8 m;
- brush length – 5 m.
The tablet placed in the right hand measures 7.19 m.
What is it installed on?
One Lady's leg is set on broken shackles. This is how Bartholdi symbolically showed the acquisition of freedom.
The base is made of concrete. To complete it, a significant amount of cement was required.
Where is he looking?
For many years, this grandiose landmark has been greeting tourists and emigrants with words that are engraved on the pedestal. They reflect the lives of the American people, equal opportunity, freedom and democracy.
For this reason Lady Liberty with its back to the city and facing the bay. Thus, she looks at the ships arriving in the country with guests and emigrants.
What's inside?
At the foot of the monument there is a broken chain. Which symbolizes the broken shackles of slavery and the victory of democracy. There are windows in the crown for viewing, but to add to them you need to climb 356 steps. Inside the monument, tourists can easily move along the spiral staircases.
For your information! Except incredible nice review from the windows on Lady Liberty's crown, there is a museum inside, by visiting which you can learn the whole history of the creation of this monument.
You can get to the museum by elevator, which is located inside the pedestal. Thanks to the glass flow, you can see the impressive "insides" of the statue.
Why is the monument green?
Despite the fact that today the monument is green, in the original it was a bright gold-orange color.This is not noticeable in black and white photographs, but this fact is confirmed by historical references.
For example, in Russia in the Hermitage there is a painting in which you can see the original color of the statue.
Since they used to make the statue copper, then after the first decades, it oxidized, as a result of which it acquired a green color. Although during New York City sunsets, Lady Liberty turns an unusually bright color that is a bit reminiscent of the original.
How can you get to and visit the Statue of Liberty?
To the site of the monument for a tour, tourists travel by ferry. Their favorite place remains the crown. And this is not surprising, since it is from there that the beauty of the local landscape and views of the New York coast open up.
