Statue of Liberty, New York, United States

The Statue of Liberty is a 305-foot (93-meter) long located on Liberty Island in Upper New York Bay, off the coast of New York City. The statue is a symbol of liberty in the form of a woman. She holds a torch in her right hand and clutches a tablet in her left.

The site was in UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1984.

History

The Statue of Liberty was designed and built in France between 1875 and 1884. It was then disassembled and shipped to New York City in 1885. The statue was reassembled on Liberty Island in 1886, although the torch has been redesigned several times since its installation.

The statue was designed between 1875 and 1884 under the direction of French sculptor Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi, who began drafting designs in 1870. Bartholdi and his team hammered roughly around 31 tons of copper sheets onto a steel frame. Before being mounted on its current pedestal, the statue stood over 151 feet (46 meters) tall and weighed approx 225 tons.

The statue was first administered by the U.S. Lighthouse Board, as the illuminated torch was considered a navigational aid. Although responsibility for the maintenance and operation of the statue was transferred in 1901 to the War Department. It was declared as a national monument in 1924, and in 1933 the administration of the statue was placed under the National Park Service.

Significance 

In the statue’s right hand, it holds a torch. This represents the light that observes the path to freedom. In her left hand, she holds a tablet bearing “JULY IV MDCCLXXVI,” the Declaration of Independence’s adoption date in Roman numerals.

The Statue of Liberty is one of the most instantly recognizable statues in the world, often viewed as a symbol of both New York City and the United States. The statue is situated near Ellis Island, where millions of immigrants were residing until 1943. Because of this, the Statue of Liberty is also signified to represent hope, freedom, and justice.

Origins of the Statue of Liberty

Around 1865, as the American Civil War drew out to close, the French historian Edouard de Laboulaye suggested that France to create a statue to give to the United States in celebration of that nation’s success in building a remarkable democracy.

Many French liberals hoped that democracy would succeed and that freedom and justice for all would be attained.

Some Facts

• The Statue’s Pedestal was used to house military families.
• Visitors used to be able to climb to the top of the torch.
• The Statue of Liberty was supposed to have its sister statue and lighthouse in Egypt.
• When the statue first arrived from France, it was the coloratura of a shiny new penny.
• The statue is modeled on a real person.
• “THE STATUE OF LIBERTY,” is a nickname its original name is different.
• The Statue weighed around 225 tons approx.
• There are 3 replicas of Lady Liberty in Paris, but the one that is probably best known is the one that holds court in the middle of the Seine.

7 Spikes on the Statue of Liberty

The seven spikes represent the 7 seas and 7 continents of the world, according to the Web sites of the National Park Service and the Statue of Liberty Club. “

Best Time to Visit 

The best time slot to choose is early in the morning, this will help you to avoid the crowds that tend to take over the ferry at about 10-11 am.

Hours to Visit 

Monday-Sunday.                   8:30 am–4 pm

Where to Find the Best Views

• High Bar
• Staten Island Ferry
• Circle Line – Liberty Cruise
• Spirit Dinner Cruise
• Liberty Helicopter
• Statue Cruises to Liberty Island
• Hornblower Cruise

Location Map for Statue of Liberty

Hotels Near Statue of Liberty

• Hyatt House Jersey City
• Hilton Garden Inn NYC Financial Center/Manhattan Downtown
• Dharma Home Suites JC at Paulus
• Deedee’s Brownstone Van Vorst Park
• LYRIC | 70 Pine NYC

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