A few facts about the Liberty Statue are known to all. Located in Paris, the capital of France, the figure was given as a gift by the French to mark the 100th anniversary of American Independence.
We know many aspects and facts about the Liberty Statue. However, this post will show little-known facts about it.
Facts About Liberty Statue
The statue was created by French sculptor and painter Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, while the interior was built by Gustave Eiffel, best known for designing the Eiffel Tower.
It is an iconic monument that draws over 4.5 million visitors annually. The figure is also water resistant.
There are three Liberty reproductions; a bronze duplicate of a sister who was dismembered as a model in New York was placed outside the museum in the Jardin du Luxembourg and is now shown in the Musée d’Orsay’s foyer.
A quarter-sized duplicate of the famous structure is on an island in the Sun River near Paris. A life-size gold-coloured replica of the torch is displayed at the entrance to a renowned tunnel in Paris.
The Statue of Liberty symbolizes liberty and freedom for all. France gave the people of New York the Statue of Liberty in 1886. In exchange, the American Community in Paris gifted a miniature Liberty Statue to France in 1889. It resulted in a stronger friendship between the two countries.
The pedestal and statue were constructed for a total of $250,000. That would be worth more than $5.4 million in today’s currency. The Americans paid for the pedestal during a standoff, while the French supported fundraising to erect the statue.
Since 1801, the federal government has controlled Liberty Island (an artificial island) as a military outpost. Now, as a national landmark, together with France’s ownership of the Statue of Liberty.
It came into existence after two years of implementation. The statue was initially intended to serve as a lighthouse for ships entering New York Harbour.
1. Lady Liberty
The fact that the Statue of Liberty is frequently referred to as Lady Liberty is one of the four interesting facts about the Liberty Statue in Paris. She is also represented as “Liberty Enlightening the World.” The creation of the Statue of Liberty, which consists of 350 separate sections, took more than ten years to complete.
The hue of the Statue of Liberty hasn’t changed much over the past 135 years, but now it resembles an electrical wire because copper is used across its entire exterior. After 20 years or so, it became all green.
Designers could have made those metal sheets thicker, but the Statue of Liberty was considerably heavier and toppled under its weight. This is because the air and regular rains progressively oxidize the metal into a coating known as patina.
Mini Liberty, a first-ever clay replica of the Statue of Liberty that stood only four feet tall, catalyzed the rest of history. The sculpture had given careful consideration to how it would be built. The statue would have developed holes if the metal had been a little thinner due to the metal’s severe oxidation and corrosion.
The following statue model was a plaster, allowing the sculptor to add and improve the statue’s details by enlarging them. Then, the artist created a statue of liberty that would stand in all countries.
Over two hundred thousand Americans queued to board the ship carrying Lady Liberty after the monument was finished in France and delivered to America wrapped in hundreds of wooden containers.
The statue’s original copper and glass torch was changed in 1984 for a new one adorned with 24-karat gold leaf. The replica of the Statue of Liberty that inspired a brand-new stamp featuring the Statue of Lady Liberty is located at the New York Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
2. Flame of The Statue of Liberty
The Parisian Pont de Grenelle bridge’s entrance was marked with a replica of the Flame of Liberty. Except for emergency personnel, no one is permitted to hold the original torch of the love of freedom because of the First World War and the terrorist attack on America.
As it would be dangerous to permit visitors inside the Statue of Liberty. At this time, visitors are welcome up till the statue’s crown. Before the peak, guests must acquire a ticket and arrive from the Liberty Museum. There is a daily limit of 240 individuals.
The Princess Diana automobile crash memorial is next to the tunnel where she passed away in 1997. The common perception is that she was honoured with the statue. If you have a reservation, you can still visit the crown even though the flame was never reopened for viewing.
3. History of Crowdfunding Campaign
It was one of the first crowdfunding camping ever recorded in human history. The Statue of Liberty was built with the help of the money that French sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi raised at home. The regional government did not support it.
Once it had been completed, the sculptor gave it as a gift to the US, stipulating that they would construct a pedestal for it. The statute’s validity was ambiguous for a few years because the federal government objected to the proposal.
One of the earliest significant crowdfunding initiatives was launched by American newspaper tycoon Joseph Pulitzer, who promised an honorary position for every donor.
The renowned poem “The New Colossus” can be discovered on a bronze plaque within the Statue of Liberty. 1,20,000 people donated money, which Pulitzer was able to gather. A middle-class demographic contributed 80% of the donations.
4. Statue’s Facts
The statue’s crown is adorned with seven spikes, representing the seven continents, oceans, and worldwide freedom. These spikes also serve to emphasize the welcome message.
Around the touch, there are 16 leaves. The data, written in Roman numerals and read by the statue’s left arm while holding a tablet, states that the Declaration of Independence was signed. The copper structure of the figure was crafted with over 300 different types of hammers.
The statue is known by various names, including the Statue of Liberty, Liberty Illuminating the World, Lady Liberty, Green Goddess, Lady of the Harbor, Mother of Freedom, and many others. The Statue of Liberty is capable of holding close to 600 bolts.
The Liberty Statue is not standing still. Her right foot is coming off the ground as she strides with her right leg. She is going onward and heading for the horizon, illuminating the road and blazing a permanent route to independence and freedom. American author Dave Eggers mentions this in his fantastic book Her Right Foot.
Take Away
She is an icon, a national treasure, and one of the world’s most recognizable figures.
Every year, millions of people who value her ideas travel to see her history and majesty in person.
The Statue of Liberty symbolizes liberty, inspiration, and hope.
Last Updated on November 18, 2023 by Anjan Bandyopadhyay
