WHY THE STATUE OF LIBERTY WAS BUILT: HISTORY, CURIOUS FACTS AND 5 THINGS TO KNOW

Why the Statue of Liberty was built and by whom?
There are probably thousands of people who, looking at this colossal statue, had the hope for a better life. But do you know the reasons why this huge statue was built at the entrance of New York Harbor?

In this post I’ll talk about the symbol of the United States in 5 points.

The Statue of Liberty

1. WHY THE STATUE OF LIBERTY WAS BUILT

The Statue of Liberty was a gift from the people of France to the people of the United States on the occasion of the celebrations of the 100th anniversary of the U.S Declaration of Independence.
The sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi was commissioned to design the statue and Gustave Eiffel (the man who designed the Eiffel Tower) designed the iron framework supporting the whole statue.

2. WHEN THE STATUE OF LIBERTY WAS BUILT

The Statue of Liberty was built starting from 1875, in Paris, and later was sent to the United States in 1885.
The statue, practically, was assembled directly in New York, but before her head and torch were exhibited in the Jardins du Tracadéro (Gardens of the Trocadéro) in Paris.

It took 9 years to complete the construction of the Statue of Liberty and 4 months to join the 350 pieces together. The ceremony of dedication was held in New York on October 28th 1886.

3. SIZE AND PEDESTAL OF THE STATUE OF LIBERTY

The Statue of Liberty is a real colossus. It’s 46, 48 meters high; weighs 204 tons and her feet are 7, 6 meters long.
Before being assembled in New York it was necessary to build a base aimed at supporting her weight, and a fund-raising campaign was launched to raise 102.000 dollar to build a huge block of granite on which the statue stands.

From above the statue you can enjoy the view of the city of New York and the Harbor. All you have to do is to ascend 354 steps up to the crown.

4. WHY THE STATUE OF LIBERTY IS A SYMBOL

Her size makes it visible from 40 kilometers away from New York, and for this reason the Statue of Liberty has been the first image of the United States for many travellers arriving in New York
For many people seeing that statue meant being arrived at last in a place where to start over and make their dreams come true.

5. CURIOUS FACTS ABOUT THE STATUE OF LIBERTY

In the Statue of Liberty you can see the symbols of this work: the torch represents the eternal fire of freedom; the broken chains at her feet symbolize the end of the monarchy; the tips of the crown are the 7 seas and continents; the tablet she holds in her right hand inscribes the date July 4 1776, the date of the U.S Declaration of Independence.

The model of the statue, from which Bartholdi started to build the work, is situated on the Ile aux Cygnes (Island of the Swan) in Paris. It is 11, 50 meters high and its gaze looks towards the Atlantic Ocean.

The original torch is located at the entrance of the museum. It was replaced in 1986 on the occasion of the 100^th anniversary of the monument.