THE STATUE OF LIBERTY

THE STATUE OF LIBERTY
The Statue of Liberty was given to us in October of 1886. In Declaration of Independence. To represent the friendship between France and the United States. During the (American Revolution) She stands on Liberty Island. Where she welcomes:
A. Immigrants
B. Visitors
C. And Americans returning home
She is made of pure copper constructed on a steel frame, with the exception of the Gold Leaf which is the torch. The arm and leaf stand 151 feet tall. If you include the pedestal and foundation she stands 305 feet tall.
The first statue was built in 1870. And it is on exhibit at (Musee desBeaux-Arts Delyon). The first model stands in (Jardin-du Luuxmbourg, Paris).
This was joint effort between the United States and France. They use chartiable donations so she couild be built. The donations that are needed was 2, 500,000 in Francs or 250,000 in American money.
The statue was supposed to be finished in July 4, of 2876. But, delays and a late start kept from meeting their deadline. But the torch and the right arm were done. And this part of the statue was on display in Philadelphia. Where visitors wouild be charge 50 cents to climb to the balcony.
In June of 1878 the head was completed. Back in the United States a site was authorized by the (ACT of CONGRESS).
February of 1879 a patent was granted for a figure of a female character, with one arm raised holding a torch.
The financing for the statue was finally completed in 1882. A man named (Joseph Pulitzer) opened a fund raiser to complete the pedestal.
The state was completely finished in 1884. But had to be stopped; there still was not enough funds. The construction was later resumed in May of that year. When they had to hold another fund raiser to complete the pedestal.
The statue arrived in New York in June of 1875 on board a French freighter called (ISLEE). To make the parts safe they had to put them in crates to protect hem. She was broken down into 350 pieces and 214 crates. Since the right arm was already in the United States. This only had to be transported to (MADISON SQUARE GARDEN) in New York City.
The pedestal was finally finished in August of 1885. And the platform was done completed in April 1886. When she was completely put together all of the workers had thrown silver coins into her fountain.
After being stored for 11 months, it took them four months to put her together.
In October of 1886 she was unveiled in front of thousands of people.
The Statue of Liberty was a lighthouse at one point. From 1886 until 1902. At that time she was under the care of the lighthouse keepers, and they were responsible for upkeep and repair. This was the first electric light in the United States. And, this light could be seen for 24 miles.
In 191 flood lights were placed around the statue. Also in 1916 there was an explosion causing (1.98 million dollars). This is what it would have cost in 2008 to fix her. This is when they closed the torch to visitors. After she was fixed she was dedicated on her 50th anniversary in October of 1936.
In 1956 they changed the name of the island. The island used to be called Bedloe’s Island to Liberty Island.
Liberty Island and Ellis Island then became one of the nation’s historical registered places to visit. This took place in 1966.
In 2007 The Statue of Liberty was one of among the 20 finalists to be considered the 7th wonder of the world.
The Statue of Liberty stands for:
A. Freedom
B. Against slavery
C. Oppression
D. Tyranny
Her right foot in the air stands for she is on the move. Her left foot on broken shackles in wishing to be free.
The 7 spikes on her crown stands for the seven seas, and the 7 continents. The torch symbolizes bringing light to the new world.
The State of Liberty has a couple of other names:
A. Miss Liberty
B. Lady Liberty
C. The Lady
(FREDERIC AUGUSTE BARTHOLD) had created another Statue of Liberty and this one is in Paris, France.
The (Colossus of Rhodes) was considered for the crown that the Statue of Liberty is wearing.
The times between the September 11,2001 attack of the United States. The Statue was closed until December of 2001. Then she had reopened.
In order to see the Statue of Liberty now you must purchase tickets ahead of time. Once you arrive on the island you must check into the information center then from there you are taken for the walk up the stairs. There are 146 steps up.
It is 15 to 20 degrees warmer inside the Statue than it is outdoors.
They allow 3 groups of 10 to go up the stairs within an hour.
They go up to the crown which is closed in. To prevent any mishaps.
I have been to the Statue of Liberty myself with my own family. And at that time you coiuld not go into the arm as the arm and torch stairway was not safe to climb into. But, we got to go to the crown. And at that time the crown was not enclosed. There were no windows to block you from the wind. I was only sixteen at that time and it was really cool to see the Statue of Liberty. I hope someday that when my children get enough money they go see and feel the experience that I have felt when I saw her.
The Statue was built to withstand strong winds and strong waves.
When the Statue needed renovation (AMERICAN EXPRESS CARD) had donated 1 penny for each American Express Card purchase toward her renovation. The total they had collected was 1.7 million dollars back in 1983.
In 1984 the Statue was closed down for restoration. They had put scaffolding around her to block the view from the public. Her rededication took place on July 4, 1986.
The original torch is now sitting in the lobby of the museum. They have a new torch up there.
There is also a replica of the torch in Paris.
New York and New Jersey were battling over the Statue of Liberty. New Jersey said it was theirs since it was standing in the Hudson River, and New York was saying it was theirs since it was only 2 miles away from New York City. They finally came to an understanding, everything below the water would belong to New Jersey, and everything above the water would belong to New York City.
3,000 passes are available each to see the Statue herself.
The torch is still closed to the public as it is too hazardous for anyone to climb the staircase.
The people that go to the Statue of Liberty are scheduled for personal searches since she was threatened in 1865 and the 911 attack.
Not only did they want to destroy our Freedom Lady but they also wanted to destroy the LIBERTY BELL, along with the Washington Monument.
On July 4th the crown was reopened to visitors.
There have been some people who have tried:
A. Jump on the Statue
B. Fall off the Statue and have died
C. Got hung up on her by parasailing
There have been other statues building around the world, and they all want what we have and that is FREEDOM.