The Statue of Liberty, a powerful symbol of #freedom and #democracy, boasts a rich history that stretches back to the mid-19th century. Today, while reading about this architectural wonder, I came across certain facts which I thought are worth sharing!!
🗓️ A Vision of Friendship and Freedom: In 1865, French historian Edouard de Laboulaye envisioned a #monument to celebrate 100 years of American independence (1876) and the bond between France and the United States. French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi took on the task of sculpting the statue, while the iron framework was designed by Gustave Eiffel, the mastermind behind the Eiffel Tower🗼️.
💰 A Joint Effort : French citizens funded the sculpture, while the United States provided the base on Bedloe's Island (now Liberty Island). The statue is made from incredibly thin copper, about the width of two pennies. Initially brownish-red, the copper oxidized over time, giving the statue its iconic green hue. 🟢🪙
🌏 Symbolism in Every Detail: The seven points on Lady Liberty's crown represent the seven seas and seven continents, signifying universality. The tablet she holds commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and the broken shackles at her feet depict #freedom from tyranny. ✨📜
🚢 A Journey Across the Atlantic: The statue was fully assembled in Paris by 1884, then disassembled and shipped across the Atlantic in #350pieces. The pedestal in New York was completed in 1886, and the statue was formally presented to the US ambassador in Paris on July 4, 1884. The #dedication ceremony in New York Harbour occurred on October 28, 1886, marking its public unveiling. 🚢
🌟 A Beacon of Hope and #Resilience: For over a century, Lady Liberty has welcomed immigrants to Ellis Island, embodying the American #dream. She’s weathered literal storms (being struck by lightning an average of 600 times a year!) and metaphorical ones too. It got damaged during WWI but was restored with unwavering American #spirit.
How many of you knew about this magnificent symbol of #liberty and the lasting #friendship between nations! 🗽🤝
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