9 Facts About the Statue of Liberty
Statue of Liberty is one of the most iconic symbols of America, let alone New York City. The green lady is known all over the world and is closely associated with American liberty and freedom. Most people, however, do not know about the statue’s fascinating history. Here are nine things that you didn't know about the Statue of Liberty.
“The Statue of Liberty” is actually a nickname. The proper name for the statue is “Liberty Enlightening the World.” Very few people remember the statue’s proper title.
The robed female figure actually represents Libertas, the Roman goddess of freedom. Incidentally, Frederic Bartholdi, the French designer of the Statue of Liberty, used his mother as the face for the statue.
Made of copper, The Statue of Liberty was the color of a brand new shiny penny when she first arrived from France. It took about twenty years for the green hue to develop due to oxidation. Nowadays, there is no one in the world who can imagine the Statue of Liberty without her green patina.
Frederic Bartholdi offered to create a statue for Egypt called “Egypt Carrying Light to Asia.” This would have been a sister statue to The Statue of Liberty, but the project never moved forward.
The seven spikes on the crown represent the Seven Seas and the seven continents of the world. The spikes are up to 9 feet in length and weigh 150 lbs.
The statue’s dedication inspired the unique New York ticker-tape parade. This celebration takes place every year and is a time when the city comes together.
Up until Hurricane Sandy, the superintendent of The Statue of Liberty has always lived on Liberty Island. Speculation now is that the current superintendent will be the last to call the island home.
Fort Wood, a star-shaped military abode, now forms a part of the statue’s pedestal. It was home to military families until the 1930’s, and military kids would climb the torch and make it sway. This dangerous activity was considered a rite of passage for many of the island’s younger inhabitants.
There was a time when Fort Wood kids were not the only ones able to climb the torch. Tourists were able to reach this precarious perch until 1916.
As one of the biggest tourist destinations in the world, with approximately 4 million people visiting each year, people should know the Statue of Liberty’s fascinating past. Countless stories can be told about the statue, and millions of people have their own personal story to share. With its colorful history and connection to so many people, the Statue of Liberty is truly one of the greatest monuments in the United States.