Statue of Liberty. History and facts. The main symbol of America is the Statue of Liberty in New York. History and interesting facts What is the Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty, or Lady Liberty as it is also known, has symbolized the spread of freedom and democracy for many years. A clear symbol of liberation is the statue’s trampling of broken shackles. The impressive structure is located on the North American mainland in New York, invariably presenting itself to the eyes of all its guests and giving the most unforgettable impressions.
The Making of the Statue of Liberty
The monument went down in history as a gift to the United States from the French government. According to the official version, this event took place in honor of America's celebration of 100 years since its independence, as well as as a sign of friendship between the two states. The author of the project was the leader of the French anti-slavery movement, Edouard Rene Lefebvre de Labouelé. 
Work on the creation of the statue began in 1875 in France and was completed in 1884. It was headed by Frederic Auguste Bartholdi, a talented French sculptor. It was this outstanding man who spent 10 years creating in his art studio the future symbol of freedom on a global scale. 
The work was carried out in collaboration with the best minds in France. Gustave Eiffel, the designer of the Eiffel Tower project, took part in the creation of the internal steel frame of the famous statue. The work was continued by one of his assistants, engineer Maurice Koechlin. 
The ceremony of presenting the French gift to American colleagues was planned for July 1876. The obstacle to the implementation of the plan was a banal lack of funds. American President Grover Cleveland was able to accept the gift from the French government in a solemn ceremony only 10 years later. The date of the ceremonial transfer of the Statue was October 1886. Bedloe's Island was designated as the site for a ceremony of historic proportions. 70 years later it received the name “Liberty Islands”. 
Description of the legendary attraction
The Statue of Liberty is listed as one of the world's most famous masterpieces. Her right hand proudly raises a torch, while her left hand displays an inscribed tablet. The inscription indicates the date of the most important event for the entire American people - Independence Day of the United States of America. 
The dimensions of Lady Liberty are impressive. Its height from the ground to the top of the torch is 93 meters. The dimensions of the head are 5.26 meters, the length of the nose is 1.37 m, the eyes are 0.76 m, the arms are 12.8 meters, the length of each hand is 5 m. The size of the tablet is 7.19 m.
Curious what the Statue of Liberty is made of. It took at least 31 tons of copper to cast her body. The entire steel structure weighs a total of about 125 tons. 
25 viewing windows located in the crown act as a symbol of the country's wealth. And the 7 rays coming out of it are a symbol of the seven continents and seas. In addition to this, they symbolize the expansion of freedom in all directions. 
Traditionally, one gets to the location of the monument by ferry. A favorite place to visit is Corona. To enjoy the local landscapes and views of the New York coast from above, you need to climb to a special platform inside it. To this end, visitors will have to overcome a large number of steps - 192 to the top of the pedestal, and then 356 in the body itself. 
As a reward, the most persistent visitors are rewarded with expansive views of New York City and its picturesque surroundings. No less interesting is the pedestal, where the museum is located with historical exhibitions located in it. 
Little-Known Interesting Facts About the Statue of Liberty
The period of creation and subsequent existence of the monument is filled with interesting facts and stories. Some of them are not illuminated even when tourists visit New York City.
First name of the Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty is the name by which the masterpiece is known throughout the world. At first it was known as “Liberty Enlightening the World”. At first, instead of it, it was planned to erect a monument in the form of a farmer with a torch in his hand. The installation site was to be the territory of Egypt at the entrance to the Suez Canal. The Egyptian government's abruptly changed plans prevented this. 
Prototype of the Statue of Liberty's face
It is widely known that the face of the Statue of Liberty is nothing more than the author’s imagination. However, two versions of its origin are known. According to the first, the prototype of the face was the face of the famous model of French origin, Isabella Boyer. According to another, Frederic Bartholdi immortalized the face of his own mother in the monument. 
Metamorphoses with color
Immediately after its creation, the statue was distinguished by its bright golden-orange color. In St. Petersburg, visitors to the Hermitage can see a painting where it is depicted in its original form. Today the monument has become green. This is due to patination, a process in which metal takes on a blue-green hue when exposed to air. This transformation of the American symbol lasted for 25 years, which is captured in numerous photographs. The copper covering of the statue oxidized naturally, which can be seen today. 
"Travels" of Lady Liberty's head
A little-known fact: before all the parts of the French gift were assembled in New York, the Statue of Liberty had to travel around the country for some time in disassembled form. Her head was exhibited in a Philadelphia museum in 1878. The French also decided to enjoy the unprecedented spectacle before she left for her destination. In the same year, the head was put on public display at one of the Paris exhibitions. 
Ex-record holder
In the 21st century, there are buildings that surpass the symbol of America in height and heaviness. However, during the years of development of the Statue project, its concrete base was the largest and largest concrete structure in the world. Outstanding records soon ceased to be so, but the monument is still associated in the world consciousness with everything majestic and new. 
Twin Statue of Liberty
Many copies of the American symbol have been created all over the world, among which several dozen can be found in the USA itself. A pair of 9-meter replicas can be seen in the vicinity of New York's Liberty National Bank. Another copy, reduced to 3 meters, holding a Bible, adorns the state of California. 
The official twin copy of the monument appeared in the late 80s of the 20th century. The Americans presented it to the French people as a sign of friendship and gratitude. Today this gift can be seen in Paris on one of the islands of the Seine river. The copy is reduced, nevertheless, it is capable of striking others with its 11-meter height. 
Residents of Tokyo, Budapest, and Lvov erected their own copies of the monument.
The authorship of the copy reduced to a minimum belongs to the residents of western Ukraine - sculptor Mikhail Kolodko and architect Alexander Bezik. You can see this masterpiece of modern art in Uzhgorod, Transcarpathia. The comic sculpture is made of bronze, is only 30 cm in height and weighs about 4 kg. Today it symbolizes the local people's desire for self-expression and is known as the smallest replica in the world. 
Extreme “adventures” of the monument
The Statue of Liberty has gone through a lot in its lifetime. In July 1916, a brutal terrorist attack occurred in America. On the island of Black Tom Island, located next to Liberty Island, explosions were heard that were comparable in strength to an earthquake of about 5.5 magnitude. Their culprits turned out to be saboteurs from Germany. During these events, the monument received severe damage to some of its parts. 
In 1983, in front of a large audience, illusionist David Copperfield conducted an unforgettable experiment in the disappearance of the Statue of Liberty. The original trick was a great success. The huge statue really disappeared, and the stunned audience tried in vain to find a logical explanation for what they saw. In addition to the miracles he performed, Copperfield surprised with a ring of light around the Statue of Liberty and another one next to it. 
Today, the symbol of the United States still stands majestically in the sky above New York, retains its important global significance and is the pride of the American nation. For America itself and other countries, it is associated with the spread of democratic values, freedom and independence throughout the world. Since 1984, the Statue has become part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Statue of Liberty is a national landmark and one of the main symbols of the United States of America. This one was given to the United States by the French people, supporting them in their struggle for independence. According to the architects' plans, the Statue of Liberty is positioned as a symbol of democracy and independence.
The idea of this architectural structure appeared in 1865 and belongs to a Frenchman named Edouard de Laboulaye. A then unknown sculptor named Frederic Auguste Bartholdi helped him put this idea into practice. As a result, it was decided to design a huge lighthouse in the form of a woman holding a torch in her outstretched right hand. According to the idea, it is the torch that lights the way for sailors heading to the New York port.
This lighthouse monument was designed and built by the famous Gustav Eiffel (Eiffel Tower in Paris). The result was a steel frame weighing 125 tons and 93 meters high including the pedestal. The lighthouse is built in such a way that you can move freely inside the statue and climb the stairs to the main observation deck, located in. By the way, the lighthouse has already been restored several times: modern lighting elements (laser lighting) were added to it.
Where is the Statue of Liberty
It was erected on Bedlow Island (Liberty Island) in New York. The opening of this architectural landmark took place in 1886, accompanied by cannon shots, fireworks and a siren. Since then, the legendary Statue of Liberty greets ships entering the port of New York every day and receives tourists from different parts of the world. By the way, the full name of this monument is: “Freedom illuminating the world.” Currently, there is the very first model of the Statue of Liberty, which can be seen in Paris near the famous Eiffel Tower.
Why is the Statue of Liberty in New York?
The fact is that the location for the future lighthouse was chosen by the sculptor Bartholdi himself. It was he who decided that the future pedestal should stand on Bedlow Island (Liberty Island), located 3 kilometers from the southern border of Manhattan. The sculptor assured that this place is the best solution for the location of a woman with a torch, who, day after day, will meet ships heading to New York and light their way. According to Bartholdi, it is Liberty Island that allows the original idea to be brought to life most fully.
According to some reports, they initially wanted to erect the Statue of Liberty in Port Said, located in the Suez Canal, which, in turn, connects two seas - the Red and the Mediterranean. However, this project was not implemented, and they decided to build the future lighthouse in the United States.
Statue of Liberty(English Statue of Liberty, full name - Liberty Enlightening the World) - one of the most famous sculptures in the USA and in the world, often called the “symbol of New York and the USA”, “symbol of freedom and democracy ", "Lady Liberty". This is a gift from French citizens for the centennial of the American Revolution.
Location
The Statue of Liberty is located in New York, on Liberty Island, which is located three kilometers southwest of the coast of Manhattan. The Statue of Liberty, a gift from the French for the 100th anniversary of the American Revolution, was made in France in 1884 and transported to America in parts. The opening of the statue took place on October 28, 1886, ten years late to the originally intended date.Description of the object
The Statue of Liberty is a steel frame with a total weight of 125 tons. Gustav Eiffel was invited to design and build the steel structure, and his work was continued by Maurice Koechlin. The frame is constructed in such a way that you can easily move around inside the monument and even climb the spiral staircases to the top. There are 354 steps to the main observation deck located in the crown. From there, 25 windows symbolizing precious stones offer an amazing view of New York Harbor. By the way, the seven rays of the crown symbolize the seven seas and seven continents, as is commonly believed in the West.
On top of the steel skeleton is covered with copper sheets, masterfully hammered in wooden forms, with a thickness of only 2.37 mm and a total weight of 31 tons. Copper plates spliced together form the silhouette of the statue. By the way, copper was supplied to France from Russia. It is worth noting that one leg of the statue stands on broken shackles - this is how Bartholdi symbolically showed the acquisition of freedom. The plaque in the left hand of the Statue of Liberty indicates the date of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776.
The cement base of the Statue of Liberty weighs 27 thousand tons. To get to the top of the pedestal, you need to climb 192 steps. Inside the pedestal there is a museum, which can be reached by elevator.
History of origin
The French sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi was commissioned to create the statue. It was intended as a gift for the centennial anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 1876. According to one version, Bartholdi even had a French model: the beautiful, recently widowed Isabella Boyer, wife of Isaac Singer, the creator and entrepreneur in the field of sewing machines. The Statue of Liberty was originally planned to be installed in Port Said under the name The Light Of Asia, but the then Egyptian government decided that transporting the structure from France and installing it was too expensive.
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.
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. The copper for the statue was purchased from existing stocks in the warehouses of the Société des métaux company of 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. In addition, the railways in Ufa and Nizhny Tagil were built after construction; 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 company won a tender to supply cement for the construction of the foundation of the Statue of Liberty in New York, which at that time was the largest concrete structure in the world.
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, problems with financing 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. Two square lintels made of steel beams are built into the massive masonry of the pedestal; 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 in 1876, 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.
Operating mode
Visiting hours for Liberty Island and Ellis Island are from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (with extended hours during the summer months) How to get there
The entrance to Liberty Island Park itself is free, but tourists will have to fork out a little for the ferry. Ferries go to this island, and at the same time to Ellis Island, from two piers - from Battery Park in Manhattan and from Liberty State Park in Jersey City on the other side one of New York Bay. Moreover, upon boarding, passengers undergo a thorough search, similar to what is available at airports around the world.From France with love
Despite the fact that the Statue of Liberty is an unofficial symbol of the United States, its homeland is France, which is under America laughed at the war with Great Britain. The monument was conceived as a gift frommany freedom-loving peopleto another, but also to anotherThe Ricans contributed to the creation of the masterpiece - the pedestal of the statue was made in the USA.
Loubetter than pObetter than ever
The statue could well have ended up in Egypt instead of New York, because the author of the monument had such plans. It was supposed to be installed as a gig nt lighthouse at the entrance to the Suez Canal in the city of Port Said. Butachieve agreement on this project and failed.
Creative duet
The author of the Statue of Liberty is the architect Frederic Bartholdi. But another famous Frenchman, engineer Alexandre Gustave Eiffel, creator of the Eiffel Tower, also worked on the monument. Bartholdi was responsible for the appearance of the statue, while Eiffel designed the iron shell and frame.
Travel to New York
In order to transport the statue across the ocean, the sculpture was dismantled into 350 parts and loaded onto the French frigate Isere. The complexity of the operation also lay in the fact that the weight of the statue exceeded 150 tons. Already on American soil, its assembly and installation lasted four months.
Crown, stones and rays
The prototype of Liberty, according to art historians, was the famous French model Isabella Boyer, the widow of Isaac Singer, the founder of a sewing machine manufacturing company. Frederic Bartholdi infuses Lady Liberty with iconic details. Thus, 25 viewing windows located in the crown of the statue symbolize precious stones that are mined in the United States. And the seven rays emanating from the crown are a symbol of the seven seas and seven continents, that is, a sign of the widespread spread of freedom.
Bird's-eye
To climb to the observation deck located inside the crown, visitors will have to climb 192 steps to the top of the pedestal and 356 steps inside the monument. The reward for your efforts will be a magnificent view of the New York coastline. The total height of the statue - from the base to the top of the torch - is 93 m.
Kind with healthy
The Statue of Liberty turned out to be an excellent beacon for ships heading to Manhattan past Bedlow's Island, on which the monument stands. Today, the need for a lighthouse has disappeared, but the Statue of Liberty does not stand idle: a historical museum is located inside it.
American dream without borders
Replicas of the Statue of Liberty can be found in many cities around the world. Only in Paris are four smaller replicas of the famous Lady Liberty installed. Tokyo, Las Vegas, Lvov, Uzhgorod, Dnepropetrovsk have their own Freedom.
Time is money
Entrance to the observation deck, as well as visiting the museum located inside the statue, is free. But you will have to pay a small amount to take the ferry to Bedloe Island. You will have to spend not only money, but also time: visitors are carefully searched. Precautions were increased after September 11: for example, the crown of the Statue of Liberty became open to the public only in 2009.
The color of history
The Statue of Liberty often appears in various films. The creators of Titanic also filmed one episode against the backdrop of the famous sculpture - and made a historical mistake. In the film, the statue has a familiar greenish tint. But in 1912, during the events of the film drama, the copper of the monument had not yet oxidized and was of a noble metallic color.
Features of the Statue of Liberty
Features of the Statue of Liberty Today the Statue of Liberty is one of the national symbols of the United States. Rising at the mouth of the Hudson at the entrance to New York Harbor, a woman in graceful, flowing robes carrying a torch personifies the freedom and opportunity of the country. On her head she wears a crown with seven teeth, representing the seven seas and seven continents. At the woman's feet are the torn shackles of tyranny. In the woman's left hand she holds a slab with the date of the American Declaration of Independence inscribed on it - July 4, 1776. The statue was made from thin sheets of copper hammered into wooden molds. The formed sheets were then installed on a steel frame. The height of the Statue (by the way, it was originally called more pathetically - “Freedom, bringing light to the world”) is 46 meters, so, if we also take into account the 47-meter pedestal, the top of the torch is at a height of 93 meters above the ground. The weight of the monument is 205 tons. The length of the right hand, in which the torch is held, is 12.8 meters, with the index finger alone having a length of 2.4 meters, the width of the mouth is 91 centimeters. A spiral staircase inside the statue leads tourists to the top. The statue is usually open to visitors, who usually arrive by ferry. The crown, accessible by stairs, offers expansive views of New York Harbor. In 1972, the Museum of the Settlement of America was opened inside the Statue itself, which can be reached by a special elevator. The entire history of the country is presented here: from the ancestors - the Indians who inhabited the then unknown continent, and right up to the mass migration in the present century. Opinions about the Statue of Liberty are completely contradictory. Nothing like this had been seen in America before the construction of this sculpture. Connoisseurs noted the high technique of execution, clarity of proportions and grace of lines. But opponents of those who recognized the Freedom Monument as the eighth wonder of the world noted that the symbol of Freedom in the form of a statue is interpreted too coldly and dispassionately. It is no coincidence that the epithet appeared that Freedom is “blind”, and greatness is conveyed only by large sizes. However, evil tongues are not a hindrance to Freedom. All over the world, the Statue is considered a symbol of the United States, embodying the democratic principles of which this country is so proud.Conclusion
The history of the Statue of Liberty and the island where where she stands, -this is a story of change. The statue wouldla placed on grathread pedestal inside Fort Wood, built for the war 1812 , the walls of which are laid out in the shape of a star. The U.S. Lighthouse Service was responsible for maintaining the statue until 1901. After 1901, this mission was assigned 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.October 28, 1936, at the 50th anniversary of the statue's unveiling, 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 National Park Service. 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 its restoration work, the Statue of Liberty was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. On July 5, 1986, the restored Statue of Liberty was reopened to the public during Liberty Weekend celebrating her centennial.
Where is the Statue of Liberty?
Statue of Liberty it is one of the most famous, well-known symbols of American freedom. It is located on Liberty Island in the middle of the Hudson River in New York, USA.
What was the Statue of Liberty built in honor of?
The Statue of Liberty, its official name is “Liberty, Lights the World”, also has another affectionate name as “Lady Liberty”, which has become one of the symbols of freedom and democracy. The classic appearance of the statue is a prototype of the ancient Rome statue of the Goddess of Liberty, which was built against oppression of the people and tyranny.
Height of the Statue of Liberty?
The Statue of Liberty is a figure of a woman holding a torch. The statue is made of pure copper, which is mounted on a steel base, which in turn is covered with gold leaf. It stands on top of a rectangular stone pedestal in the shape of an irregular star. The statue has a height of 46 meters, if you add the pedestal and foundation, you get 93 meters. The face of the Statue of Liberty is 2.4 meters high. The Statue of Liberty weighs over 225 tons.
What's inside the Statue of Liberty?
Inside the statue there is a staircase with 354 steps that goes to its top. There are 25 viewing windows on its crown. The seven rays of freedom in the crown of the statue symbolize the seven continents of the world and the seven seas. His torch signifies enlightenment. The tablet in the hand of the Statue of Liberty signifies knowledge, where the date of the Declaration of Independence of the United States is written in Roman numerals: “July IV MDCCLXXVI.” The statue is located in the central part of the island and is a national monument protected by the National Park Service.
History of the Statue of Liberty.
The Statue of Liberty signifies the alliance between France and the United States during the American Revolution from 1775 to 1783. It was designed by the French sculptor Frederic Bartholdi. The French at one time donated money for the construction of the statue.
The first model of the Statue of Liberty, in 1870, was built on a small scale. The story begins with this, this was the first statue, which is now in the Luxembourg Gardens in Paris. A second copy of the statue, also on a small scale, is located in the city of Maceio in the northeastern part of Brazil.
Meanwhile, during the construction of the Bartholdi Statue of Liberty, the help of engineers was required to solve certain design problems that were associated with the installation of a colossal copper sculpture. Eiffel Tower designer Gustave Fiffel was commissioned to design the statue's enormous skeletal base that would allow it to stand upright.
On June 30, 1878, at the Paris Exhibition, the head of the Statue of Liberty was exhibited, which was organized in the garden of the Trocadéro Palace. At that time, like others, parts of the statue were shown in another exhibition at Champs de Mars.
By an act of the US Congress in 1877, it was decided to bring and install the Statues of Liberty to America. General William Sherman was chosen as the commissioner for delivery and installation. The location for the construction and installation of the statue was also chosen - an island on the Hudson River.
On February 18, 1879, Bartholdi was issued a US patent for the industrial design of the statue No. D11,023. The decision was made to finance the Statue of Liberty in July 1882.
Once the statue was ready to be shipped to the United States, there were some problems with the smelting across the Atlantic Ocean. The pedestal on which she was supposed to stand did not fit into the ship. But still, the statue was prepared for transportation across the ocean, it was divided into 350 separate parts and then packed into 214 boxes.
Finally, on June 17, 1886, the statue arrived in New York Harbor and was officially installed on the massive Memorial designed by Richard Morris. Which was built with funds raised by newspaper publisher Joseph Pulitzer.
In 1956, the US Congress passed an Act renaming Wood Island “Liberty Island.”
Wood Island itself was built and fortified with a pedestal in the 19th century, made of concrete and granite in the shape of a limited star, to protect New York City during the War of 1812.
The statue was in conservation, in boxes, for eleven months, awaiting its pedestal. In the United States, the Minister of France, P. Levi Morton, hammered the first nail in the construction of the statue. The long-awaited construction and installation has begun.
Finally, on October 28, 1886, it was inaugurated by President Grover Cleveland in front of thousands of spectators.
In 1924 the monument was declared a national monument. And in 1933, the statue was transferred to the National Park Service. For the 100th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty, between 1984 and 1986, it was reconstructed.
Like other historical sites managed by the National Park Service, statue of liberty, along with Ellis and Liberty Island, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1966. And in 1972, President Nixon opened an American museum dedicated to immigration at the base of the pedestal.
The Statue of Liberty was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1984. And in 2007, he was among 20 finalists in the “Seven New Wonders of the World” competition.
Millions of tourists from different parts of the world visit the Statue of Liberty every year. And through the observation deck of the statue there is a beautiful view in which you can spend your time.
Statue of Liberty became an international symbol of freedom. Have you been there, write in the comments.
The Statue of Liberty has been one of the symbols of the United States for more than a century. But many ideas about it are incorrect, and some very little is known. Let's find out more about this unusual monument.
First of all, we note that it is officially called differently - “Freedom Illuminating the World.” The sculpture is located on the island of the same name, three kilometers southwest of Manhattan. For a long time it was called Bellow Island. The monument holds in its right hand a torch (which, as it were, “illuminates” the world), and in its left hand a tablet with the date of the US Declaration of Independence, written in Latin numerals. One of the legs of the “Illuminator” tramples torn shackles.
The seven rays in the crown crowning the statue symbolically represent the seas and continents. And yet, what is the Statue of Liberty in the USA made of? It would seem that it should be steel or stone, judging by the perception.
However, not all so simple. There is steel there - 125 tons. The sculptors also used 31 tons of copper, which covers it with a layer of just over two and a half millimeters. However, the numbers for both steel and copper simply pale in comparison to the concrete base, which reaches twenty-seven thousand tons. Thin copper sheets are mounted on top of a steel frame. Together with the foundation and pedestal, the height to the top of the torch reaches ninety-three meters.
Where was the Statue of Liberty made?
The monument symbolizing the United States was not actually made in America or even in the Western Hemisphere!
The author of the sculpture is the Frenchman Frederic Auguste Bartholdi. The idea was to present it as a gift for the centennial anniversary of the United States. It’s interesting that they were going to install it in Port Said, Egypt, and call it “The Light of Asia.” However, the Cairo government decided not to spend money on installation and transportation.
When France and America entered into an agreement, it was assumed that they would make, respectively, sculpture and installation at the expense of Paris, and the pedestal at the expense of Washington. But material difficulties that arose on both sides of the ocean slowed things down.
What material was used for production?
It seems that we already know the answer to this question. But... let's not rush. The copper for that very statue was either mined in Bashkiria or smelted in Nizhny Tagil. The pedestal underneath is made of German cement.
However, that's not all! In addition to the sculpture itself, there are many copies of it. There are four of them in Paris alone; gilded version with a lantern instead of a torch in Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer. There are many other versions - for example, in one of the Las Vegas casinos, in Japan, the broken head of the once existing “freedom” in the Tretyakov Gallery, in Dnepropetrovsk, Lvov, Budapest, Riga.
After the tragedy of September 11, the original Statue of Liberty was closed to the public. Currently, it is available to everyone, subject to rigorous screening similar to that carried out at international airports. Consequently, the symbol of the USA is one of the safest sites in the world for tourists.