On October 28, 1886, a 240-foot tall structure originally named “Liberty Enlightening the World” was revealed to an audience on Ellis Island in New York. This was the tallest structure in New York City, and it is still a great symbol in America today.1 Who would have known that a French sculptor and a French scholar would want to commemorate America for being a free nation for 100 years. These two individuals go by the names Frederic Auguste Bartholdi and Edouard-Rene Laboulaye.2 These two men met and created a sketch for the statue and wanted it to be a symbol of a “freedom-loving republic, a government in which power lay in the hands of the people, instead of a king.”3 The statue would also symbolize the alliance between France and America that began during the American War of Independence against Britain. There is a misconception that the statue was built to represent a welcoming icon for immigrants; however, this was not the initial purpose of the statue.4 France built the Statue of Liberty beginning in 1875. It was made out of 450,000 pounds of copper and steel. It was agreed by both nations that America was to be in charge of the pedestal, which weighed 27,000 tons, for the statue to rest on.5
In the construction of the statue, Bartholdi had used three hundred copper sheets to cover the entire statue. The reason why the statue appears to be green is due to its long exposure to the atmosphere over time. Something interesting is that the features of the statue’s face resemble those of Bartholdi’s mother and the arms resemble those of his wife. The Statue of Liberty is also presented wearing a long robe, which was influenced by ancient Greek and Rome attire. The purpose of this was to serve as a reminder of the ideals of that ancient era.6
The statue is carrying a tablet in her left hand with the year “1776” written on it, which is the year that Congress signed the Declaration of Independence. The significance behind this is to serve as a reminder that “all men are created equal.” It also reinforces the idea that if the government fails to abide by the natural rights of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” then the citizens have the right to establish a new government by overthrowing the current one. This tablet also serves as a religious reminder of the Ten Commandments that Moses received when God revealed himself to him on Mount Sinai. The torch that is held in Liberty’s right hand symbolizes the light that the United States carries for the entire world. This suggests that nations should follow America’s political system, according to the French architects. She is also wearing a crown with sun rays beaming from it called a “diadem.” This refers to the ancient sun god, Helios.7
In 1884, the entire statue was done being constructed in France; however, due to its large size, it was packed into two hundred cases to be transported to New York.8 The place where the statue was assembled was Ellis Island. The statue is known as the “centerpiece of a magical American place,” since her popularity will grow through being imaged in magazines, newspapers, postcards, among other things.9 One issue with building the statue was the funding for the statue’s pedestal, since the U.S. government was not willing to pay for the construction of it. One way this was done was by fundraising and donations from various contributors, such as Joseph Pulitzer and Emma Lazarus. Pulitzer published in the New York World newspaper asking for donations for this statue. Lazarus wrote a poem at a fund-raising auction to help the funding of the statue’s pedestal.10
The unveiling of the statue was on a foggy, raining day on October 28, 1886. Millions of people witnessed this revelation and took part in a parade held in Manhattan. The President at the time was Grover Cleveland. He gave a speech at the ceremony about freedom and America’s democracy. However, immigration was not mentioned in this speech. The Statue of Liberty was the first major icon that immigrants would see as they came to America. The Statue of Liberty is an important icon in American history and is still a valued symbol today. The story behind its development and upbringing involved the interaction between France and the U.S. The purpose of the construction of this statue is to recognize America’s political system, its dependence on the ideals of freedom, and how America serves as a symbol of hope and a new start for immigrants.11
- Dictionary of American History, 2003, s.v. “Statue of Liberty,” by John Higham. ↵
- UXL Encyclopedia of U.S. History, 2009, s.v. “Statue of Liberty,” by Sonia Benson, Daniel E. Brannen, Jr., and Rebecca Valentine. ↵
- James L. Outman, Statue of Liberty In U.S. Immigration and Migration Reference Library (Detroit: UXL, 2004), 364. ↵
- James L. Outman, Statue of Liberty In U.S. Immigration and Migration Reference Library (Detroit: UXL, 2004), 364-365. ↵
- Dictionary of American History, 2003, s.v. “Statue of Liberty,” by John Higham. ↵
- James L. Outman, Statue of Liberty In U.S. Immigration and Migration Reference Library (Detroit: UXL, 2004), 366-367. ↵
- James L. Outman, Statue of Liberty In U.S. Immigration and Migration Reference Library (Detroit: UXL, 2004), 368-369. ↵
- James L. Outman, Statue of Liberty In U.S. Immigration and Migration Reference Library (Detroit: UXL, 2004), 369. ↵
- Dictionary of American History, 2003, s.v. “Statue of Liberty,” by John Higham. ↵
- James L. Outman, Statue of Liberty In U.S. Immigration and Migration Reference Library (Detroit: UXL, 2004), 365-370. ↵
- James L. Outman, Statue of Liberty In U.S. Immigration and Migration Reference Library (Detroit: UXL, 2004), 370-374. ↵
93 comments
Roberto Tijerina
This is a really interesting article. Having visited a couple of years ago I have always admired the Statue of Liberty. Though it is not it’s main purpose, the statue was probably a welcome view to any that come to New York City during the United State’s big booming immigration years. I didn’t know that so much of the design was modeled after Greek and Roman history, and also the fact about the arms being modeled after one of the designers wife’s was very shocking too. There is obviously a lot more to the Statue of Liberty than most Americans might know! Good Job!
Erick Paul Martinez
This is a very well written article, it has a great flow and is very easy to follow. It is quite beautiful to think that these two French men would go out of their to create such a large, beautiful statue for our Nation. The attention to detail and true meaning behind those details demonstrates all the effort put forth in creating the Statue of Liberty.
Teresa Valdez
Excellent article. It gives great insight into the symbolism the statue was made to carry. Although it was not originally made to be a sign for immigrants, it’s reminder that “all men are created equal” and of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” seems like it pertains to the topic with which the Statue is eventually linked. I am definitely grateful that the French, Pulitzer, and Lazarus made it possible for the Statue of Liberty to be built.
Alyssa Vela
This was a really interesting article! I’ve always known bits and pieces of the Statue of Liberty story, and this article was great on refreshing my memory, as well as teaching me new details. I loved how your article focused some on how it was made, as well as the meaning behind it. Overall a great and informative article! I look forward to reading more in the future!
Irene Astran
I wonder if people could successfully fundraise for a large monument like the Statue of Liberty in this day and age. I do not believe that people would react kindly to anyone who asks for donations. Another question that came to mind as I read this piece was if American officials drafted a design for this monument or if the artists created it themselves?
Faisal Alqarni
Hi Marissa, great story on the statue of liberty i never knew the statue was called by another name before today it was a gift and had a poem about “give me you hurdled masses” by Emma Lazarus on it. I love all the interesting facts about the various parts of the statue from the face, arms, crown and tablet and why the statue is green in color also the significance of the statue to American society and the world at large. I will be looking to learn more about significant world art pieces like this one. Thanks.
Zaraly Frasquillo
I love the Statue of Liberty and what it stands for, so I was very excited to read this article when I saw it. You did a great job in writing this article, I tend to doze off when reading articles but I was so focused in wanting to learn more about Miss Liberty herself that I made it all the way ! I doubt the artist knew how much his statue was going to be admired. I loved your article, thank you! (5 STARS)!
Natalia Zuniga
I was surprised to learn new things from your article. I’ve seen this in person and went on a guided tour and heard so many many facts about the Statue. It wonderful how much thought and consideration was put into every detail of this Statue. It also interesting to know that what most people believe it stand for was not its original significance
Johnanthony Hernandez
Interesting article, I didn’t know much about the Statue of Liberty and this article brought a lot of great information to me as the reader. Growing up we didn’t study much on her conception or about how it came be. I think most Americans take her for granted, we are use to our liberties and freedom that we over look her. While she is that beacon of hope for everyone that comes to America to experience what she embodies.
Sergio Cervantes
I liked reading this interesting article as it explained the origins of one of the most iconic symbols of the United States. I never knew the US government refused to pay for the construction of the statue. It is wonderful to read about the significance the tablets have as both, a reminder of the Declaration of Independence and the Mosaic covenant. I actually always wondered why it was green when I went to visit New York. It seemed weird to me that they would construct a green statue but now it makes since due to your explanation.