Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty, located in New York harbor, is one of the most iconic symbols of the United States. The statue is a colossal neoclassical sculpture of a robed female figure representing Libertas, the Roman goddess of freedom, who bears a torch and a tablet upon which is inscribed the date of the United States Declaration of Independence. It was a gift from the people of France to the United States in commemoration of the Franco-American alliance during the American Revolution.
France’s gift to the United States
The idea of gifting the Statue of Liberty to the United States was first proposed by Édouard René de Laboulaye, a French abolitionist and political thinker, in 1865. The idea was to celebrate the centennial of American independence, which was to occur in 1876. Laboulaye hoped that by gifting a monument that symbolized freedom and democracy, it would encourage the people of France and the United States to continue to fight for these values.
The concept of the Statue of Liberty
The concept for the statue was developed by French sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi, who was inspired by the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The initial design was for a statue of an Egyptian peasant woman holding a torch, but Bartholdi later changed it to the figure of Libertas. The statue was to be made out of copper sheets, and the torch was to be covered in gold leaf.
Frederic Auguste Bartholdi
Frederic Auguste Bartholdi was a French sculptor who is best known for designing the Statue of Liberty. He was born in Colmar, France in 1834, and studied sculpture in Paris. Bartholdi was fascinated by the idea of creating a monument that symbolized freedom, and he spent many years working on the design for the statue. In addition to the Statue of Liberty, Bartholdi created many other sculptures throughout his career, including the Lion of Belfort.
Raising funds for the statue
The cost of creating the Statue of Liberty was significant, and funding was a major challenge for the project. The French government agreed to cover the cost of the statue’s construction, but it was up to the people of France to raise the money to cover the cost of the statue’s pedestal and transportation to the United States. A fundraising campaign was launched, and the people of France were able to raise enough money to cover the cost of the pedestal and transportation.
Gustave Eiffel and the statue’s structure
Gustave Eiffel, the engineer who designed the Eiffel Tower, was responsible for designing the statue’s metal framework. He used a technique called "compartmentalization," which involved dividing the statue into sections that could be easily transported and assembled. The structure was made of iron and steel, and it was designed to withstand strong winds and earthquakes.
The statue’s assembly and shipment to the US
The statue was assembled in France before it was shipped to the United States. The statue was disassembled into 350 pieces and packed into more than 200 crates. The crates were loaded onto the French frigate Isère, which sailed to the United States in June 1885. The journey across the Atlantic took over two months, and the statue arrived in New York harbor in June 1886.
Arrival of the statue in New York City
The arrival of the Statue of Liberty in New York City was a major event. The statue was greeted by a parade, and it was placed on a pedestal on Bedloe’s Island, which was later renamed Liberty Island. The statue was then reassembled, and it was officially unveiled on October 28, 1886, in a ceremony attended by thousands of people.
Unveiling of the Statue of Liberty
The unveiling of the Statue of Liberty was a significant event in the history of the United States. It was a symbol of the long-standing friendship between France and the United States, and it was seen as a beacon of hope and freedom to millions of immigrants who came to the United States in search of a better life. The statue has since become one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world.
The statue’s significance to the US and France
The Statue of Liberty has been a symbol of freedom and democracy for over a century. It is a testament to the enduring friendship between France and the United States, and it is a reminder of the values that both countries hold dear. The statue has also come to represent the immigrant experience in the United States, and it serves as a symbol of hope for those who come to the United States in search of a better life.
Conclusion: Giving of the Statue of Liberty
The giving of the Statue of Liberty to the United States was a significant event in the history of both countries. It was a symbol of the friendship between France and the United States, and it was a testament to the enduring values of freedom and democracy. The statue has since become one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world, and it continues to inspire people around the globe.
References and further reading
- Statue of Liberty National Monument. (n.d.). The Story of the Statue of Liberty. Retrieved from
- The Statue of Liberty – Ellis Island Foundation, Inc. (n.d.). History of the Statue of Liberty. Retrieved from
- National Park Service. (n.d.). Statue of Liberty National Monument. Retrieved from https://www.nps.gov/stli/index.htm
