New York City Statue Of Liberty

New York City is probably the most well-known city in the whole entire world. It is known as the Big Apple, where “dreams are made of” (Alicia Keys) and that “if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere.” (Sinatra) New York is commonly referred to as the financial and cultural capital of the world. So it is not surprising to learn that New York City is the center of many of the most important political landmarks in American history. Perhaps the most famous and most endearing is the green statue seen from the shores of Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty. The Statue of Liberty is officially called “Liberty Enlightening the World.” It is a huge monument, standing 151 feet tall and 305 feet from the ground located on Liberty Island, in the

His speech was resounding in the countries’ mutual love for Liberty: “We will not forget that Liberty has here made her home; nor shall her chosen alter be neglected. Willing votaries will constantly keep alive its fires, and these shall gleam upon the shores of our sister republic in the East. [France] … a stream of light shall pierce the darkness of ignorance and man’s oppression, until liberty enlightens the world.” (Gregorian 1986)

It was a long, arduous journey of effort that went into the creation of this monumental statue, one that required great unity between the two countries. Unfortunately, the original creator of the idea of a statue for liberty, Edouard Laboulaye, was not present to see the final creation, as he died in 1882. Interestingly, the statue was originally a copper brown color, but due to exposure to rain, wind, and sun, it oxidized and became the green color that it is known for today.

Between 1892 and 1954, around 12 million immigrants came to Ellis Island to be processed before entering the country. During the peak years of 1900-1914 (before the creation of the aeroplane), Ellis Island saw 5-10 thousands of people every day. For many immigrants, the Statue of Liberty was an emotional and powerful memory. After months of being in the sea, they were greeted by this massive statue, proclaiming that they had arrived in the land of liberty. Emma Lezarus wrote a sonnet which really spoke about the role the statue played in welcoming immigrants into the country: “Give me your tired, your poor/Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free/The wretched refuse of your teeming shore/Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me/I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” This sonnet is engraved on a plaque at the entrance to the pedestal.

Until 1901, the US Lighthouse Board operated the statue, as they used it as a lighthouse, which was part of the original blueprints. In 1924, the US made the statue a national monument and was later given to the care of the National Parks Service in 1933. It wasn’t until 1956, that the island was finally renamed, from Bledsoe to Liberty Island. In 1984, a major restoration project took place on the statue and the United Nations also declared it as a World Heritage