When the Statue of Liberty was erected. Statue of liberty in new york

Left: The hand and torch of the Statue of Liberty being made in a Paris studio, 1876. Right: The head of the Statue of Liberty being made in a Paris studio, 1880.

The Statue of Liberty was presented to the United States by the government of France in honor of the centenary of the American Declaration of Independence. The giant figure was called "Liberty Illuminating the World" and was created for 10 years in the art studio of the sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi. Gustave Eiffel, the creator of the Eiffel Tower, designed the internal steel frame for it. It was planned to present this gift on July 4, 1876, but due to lack of funds, which were to be replenished by voluntary donations, the celebration had to be postponed.

Practical Americans did not understand what kind of romantic utopias they had to part with their labor income for.

Bartholdi was forced to send to the states a fragment of a statue 15 meters high - the right hand and a torch, which he installed in Philadelphia at the exhibition of the century. For climbing into the torch itself, they took 50 cents (decent money in those days). Then the hand with the torch was transported to New York and installed in Madison Square Garden. Yet the money was clearly not enough.

And then a young journalist, editor and publisher of the World newspaper, Joseph Pulitzer, got down to business. At 18, he arrived in New York penniless from Hungary and began his career as a paperboy. Then he began to write police chronicles, small notes and quickly became the owner of the dying New York World newspaper. He instantly restructured her work, appealing to thousands of new emigrants, the same. like himself, perfectly understanding their needs and aspirations. So Pulitzer abruptly joined the campaign to raise money.

“This statue is not a gift from the millionaires of France to the millionaires of America,” he wrote angrily, “it is a gift from the French to all Americans. Take this as a personal call to you!”

Within 5 months, the required amount was collected. This action brought fame to Pulitzer and allowed him to triple the circulation of the newspaper. And today, the Pulitzer Prize is the most prestigious for journalists.

Finally, on October 28, 1886, US President Grover Cleveland received the Statue of Liberty on Bedloe Island, renamed Liberty Island in 1956 in honor of the famous statue, to thunderous fanfare.

Initially, an agreement was reached between the governments of the two countries, according to which the French side was responsible for the construction and transportation of the statue, while America prepared a place for it and erected an appropriate pedestal. Both the French and the Americans agreed that a small island at the entrance to New York Harbor would be best suited for their purposes. Here, at one time, the foundation for Fort Wood was already arranged in the form of a ten-pointed star. It could well serve as a foundation for a grandiose pedestal, the first stone of which was laid in 1884.

The statue itself, 47 m high, Bartholdi was going to sheathe with copper sheets no more than 2.4 mm thick. Thin copper had to be minted in a special wooden mold. As a result, Bartholdi and his henchmen made 350 separate skin parts, which in July 1884 were sent by ship to the United States. On Bedloe Island, they were put together like a huge construction kit and put on a steel frame made by Eiffel.

The frame consists of four monumental steel pillars, penetrating the statue to its full height. These supports are attached to the pedestal with huge steel bolts. Distributed on the main supports is the lace of a steel frame, which Bartholdi sheathed with hundreds of details of his designer. To give the statue sufficient strength and flexibility, each element of the copper sheathing was provided with its own independent beam. Bartholdi hoped in advance that the material of the casing would make it easier for him to assemble the statue, because thin sheet copper is easily bent and cut. This allowed for the final adjustment of parts directly on the statue, during the assembly process. One way or another, the Statue of Liberty is without a doubt an example of the skill of a talented French engineer.

In the ensemble with a plinth, made in the classical style by the architect Richard M. Hunt, the height of the statue from the base to the top of the golden flames is 95 m. The seven rays on its crown symbolize the seven seas. For many travelers who crossed the Atlantic to get to America, the Statue of Liberty was a symbol of freedom, independence and prosperity.

On the occasion of the 100th anniversary in 1986, the Statue of Liberty underwent a "facelift". The salty sea air corroded its structure so much that a serious restoration was required. Voluntary contributions from citizens across America more than covered the $2 million required for this work. This statue means a lot to the citizens of America - and not only to them.

An invitation to hope

In a figurative sense, the Statue of Liberty was the first sign of a new world for the many millions of immigrants who have come to America over the past two centuries.

The famous words on the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty belong to the New York poet Emma Lazarus, which were written after sweeping across Russia in the 1880s. waves of pogroms that forced many Jews across the Atlantic.

Since then, her lines have acquired a universal sound, serving as a beacon of hope for all the destitute and persecuted: And give me from the depths of the bottomless Your outcasts, your downtrodden people, Send me outcasts, the homeless, I will light a golden candle for them at the door!

Tourists

Get to Liberty Island (Liberty Island) you can use the ferry departing from the pier of Betteri Park (Battery park). Entering the park, you will see a long organized line, as once in the Mausoleum, these are those who want to visit the island with the statue, which you might want to join.

Visiting the crown is allowed again, but the number of places is limited, so you need to book tickets in advance. Those who have not done this will have to walk around the area around the statue and climb to the observation deck on the 16th floor; a special glass ceiling allows you to see the impressive "insides" of the statue. A visit to the island by ferry is usually combined with a visit to neighboring Ellis Island (Ellis Island). Ferries (Tel: 201-604-2800, 877-523-9849; www.statuecruises.com; adult/child $13/5; every 30 minutes 9am-5pm, longer in summer) depart from battery park (Battery Park). The nearest tube stations are South Ferry and Bowling Green. Booking ferry tickets in advance (corona visit - additional $3), you will visit both attractions.

An excursion to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty is best done in the warm season and during daylight hours.

Of course, in winter there are much fewer people, so. if you are not afraid of the icy piercing wind that reaches the skin through the warmest down coats and gloves, then it is worth a try. Traveling by boat is wonderful, but being outdoors in cold weather is quite extreme in its feelings. There is an old immigration center on Ellis Island, where all newcomers to the country entered and registered, now there is a museum.

Data

• Title: Officially translated from French, its name is "Liberty that illuminates the world." She is also known as the Statue of Liberty, Lady Liberty or Miss Liberty.
• Design: The author of the statue is the French sculptor Frederic Bartholdi. Putting Eiffel in charge of engineering work, he also created its steel inner frame. The total weight of the statue is 254 tons.
• Dimensions: The statue itself has a height of 46.5 m and stands on a 47-meter pedestal, to the top of which a staircase of 194 steps leads, and 354 steps must be climbed to the crown of the statue.
• UNESCO World Heritage List: The Statue of Liberty was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1984.

Ellis Island

Served from 1892 to 1954 as a staging post for more than 12 million immigrants hoping to start a new life in America, Ellis Island is modest and sometimes even shabby, but on the other hand it symbolizes the fulfillment of desires. Here in the island hospital, more than three thousand people died, many were denied the right to enter. The immigration station on Ellis Island is the second stop for ferries going to the Statue of Liberty. The beautiful main building became the Museum of Immigration (Immigration museum; Tel: 212-363-3200; www.ellisisland.org; New York Harbor (New York Harbor); audio guide $8; 9.30-17.00), where the most interesting exhibitions and film screenings are held about the life of immigrants, about how the influx of population has changed the United States.

But not for US residents.

This statue is was donated by the French government in honor of the 100th anniversary of the American Revolution. From that moment on, Bedloe Island, on which Lady Liberty is installed, is now called Liberty Island.

In English the name sounds like Statue of Liberty, and literally translated into Russian as the Statue of Liberty.

The Statue of Liberty stands on the wreckage of the chains. In her left hand is a tablet, on which is written a date significant for America (the day the US Declaration of Independence was signed - July 4, 1776). She has a torch in her other hand., which personifies the light that illuminates the path to freedom.

Note! To get to the crown, tourists have to climb 356 steps. But it's worth it, because having risen to the top, incredible open spaces open up from the main observation deck. There are 25 windows here, which are symbols of precious stones.

You can visit the museum inside the statue and learn the long haul of creating America's top landmark. The museum can be accessed via an elevator.

What does the statue symbolize and mean?

The Statue of Liberty got its name for a reason. it symbol of the freedom of the american people. It personifies and signifies the victory of democracy and the independence of the country.

History of creation

What inspired the idea for the statue?

The main reason for the creation of the statue was declaration of independence of the united states of america which took place on July 4, 1776.

What year was it built?

Solemn about The opening of the sculpture took place on October 28, 1886. The ceremony was attended by US President Grover Cleveland.

An interesting fact is that only men were present at this event, despite the fact that the statue symbolized democracy. As an exception, there could be several women on the island, among whom was Bartholdi's wife.

Who is the creator and architect?

The author of the project and the creator of the Statue of Liberty is French sculptor and architect Frederic Bartholdi. The French engineer Alexandre Gustav Eiffel, the creator of the Eiffel Tower, participated in the creation and design of the frame and reinforcing elements.

Interesting fact! But both the Americans and the French took part in the construction of the monument. For example, the star-shaped pedestal is the design of the American architect Richard Morris Hunt.

How was the construction and installation?

History tells that parts of the body of the future Lady Liberty were cast in France, but the pedestal was created in America. For 4 months, the connection of the statue took place. Bartholdi made several mistakes in his calculations.

The fact is that the materials that were allocated for the construction of the monument were not enough. To solve financial problems, charity evenings were organized, the main purpose of which was to collect money that would be sewn to buy materials.

Americans were reluctant to hand over their money, as a result of which the famous American journalist Joseph Pulitzer wrote a couple of articles in the newspaper in which he called on the upper and middle classes to take part in the construction of a symbol of American freedom.

By this time, the French had completed half of their work, and the finished parts of the statue were sent to America.

What happened to the statue in different years and up to our time?

Original Statue of Liberty should have been used as a beacon. But the lamps built into the structure were not too powerful. The practical application of the Statue was never found, therefore in 1921, the monument was transferred to the US military department, and in 1933 to the US National Park Service.

Note! By the 100th anniversary of the creation of the monument, a total reconstruction was carried out. It was President Reagan's decision. All funds for the reconstruction were collected from the citizens of America. The renovation cost $2 million.

Throughout the existence of the statue, the period of its visit has changed several times. There were no tours in the following years:

• for the period from 1982 to 1986 (reconstruction);
• from September 2001 to the end of 2004 (due to the threat of terrorist acts);
• in October 2013 (the activities of the government were suspended).

Which country donated the statue to the United States?

The Statue of Liberty was donated to America by the French government in honor of the 100th anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence.

The giant monument was scheduled to be presented on July 4, 1876. Due to lack of funds, this celebration had to be postponed.

Where is?

The monument is located in the United States on Liberty Island, which is located in the state of New Jersey in 3 km southwest of the coast of the New York district of Manhattan.

The exact location of the monument is indicated on the map, the scale can be zoomed in and out:

The territory of Liberty Island originally belonged to the state of New Jersey, later was administered by the city of New York, and currently under federal control.

What is he holding in his hands?

The Statue of Liberty is one of the world's most famous masterpieces.

In her right hand she has a torch, and in her left, a tablet with an inscription.

What is written on the tablet in your hand?

In the right hand is a tablet on which is written the date of an important event for the people of America - Independence Day of the United States of America.

Characteristics

Height

The dimensions of Lady Liberty are quite impressive. Its height to the top of the torch is 93 meters.

How many rays are on the crown?

There are 25 viewing windows on the crown. They are a symbol of America's wealth. And here are the rays that come out of it (7 pieces), represent the seven continents and seas. In addition, they symbolize the expansion of freedom in all directions.

How much does the monument weigh?

The weight of one nail of Lady Liberty is 1.5 kg, and the entire monument weighs 225 tons.

What is it made of?

Production material - copper. It took about 31 tons to cast the "lady".

The length of the nose and other elements

Here are the main dimensions of the main elements of the face:

• head - 5.26 m;
• nose length - 1.37 m;
• eyes - 0.76 m;
• arm length - 12.8 m;
• brush length - 5 m.

The tablet, inserted into the right hand, has a size of 7.19 m.

What is it installed on?

One Lady's foot is set on broken chains. This is how Bartholdi symbolically showed the acquisition of freedom.

The base is made of concrete. For its implementation, a significant amount of cement was required.

Where is he looking?

The grand landmark has been welcoming tourists and expats for many years with words engraved on the pedestal. They reflect the life of the American people, equal opportunities, freedom and democracy.

For this reason Lady freedom back to the city and facing the bay. Thus, she looks at the ships sailing into the country with guests and emigrants.

What is inside?

At the foot of the monument is a broken chain. Which symbolizes the cast off the shackles of slavery and the victory of democracy. There are windows for viewing in the crown, but to add to them, you just need 356 steps. Inside the monument, tourists can safely move along the spiral staircases.

Note! In addition to the incredibly beautiful view from the windows on the crown of Lady Liberty, there is a museum inside, visiting which you can learn the whole history of the creation of this monument.

You can get to the museum by elevator, which is located inside the pedestal. Thanks to the glass flow, you can see the impressive "insides" of the statue.

Why is the statue green?

Despite the fact that today the monument has a green color, in the original it was a bright golden-orange color.

In black and white photos, this is imperceptible, but this fact is confirmed by historical references.

For example, in Russia in the Hermitage there is a painting in which you can see the original color of the statue.

Since for the manufacture of the statue they used copper, then after the first decades, it oxidized, resulting in a green color. Although during sunsets in New York, Lady Liberty becomes an unusually bright color that slightly resembles the original.

How can I get to and get to the Statue of Liberty?

To the site of the monument for an excursion, tourists take the ferry. Their favorite place is the crown. And this is not surprising, since it is from there that the beauty of the local landscape and views of the New York coast opens.

A very large number of tourists visiting the United States of America go there with only one purpose - to see the Statue of Liberty. What features of this sculpture have been attracting the attention of travelers and local residents for many years, what interesting facts are associated with the history of its appearance, as well as the city where the Statue of Liberty is located, and in what other countries of the world can you see copies of this work? You will learn this and much more from this article.

Symbol of New York and USA

Anyone who is at least a little interested in history knows where the Statue of Liberty is located. One of the most famous sculptures of the whole world is located in the state of New York on an island that once bore the name Bedloe, but after the placement of this masterpiece on it, it is not called anything other than “Liberty Island”. In addition to its stunning size, it is distinguished by deep meaning and fullness, and the art of execution that a talented sculptor was able to show even when working with such a huge structure is simply amazing. Even the indigenous people regularly visit the place where the Statue of Liberty is located, and what can we say about tourists. This monument is interesting not only externally. It has a rich history. He has seen a lot in his almost two hundred years of his life and will see a lot more. From a height of almost 70 meters, given the height of the pedestal, this symbol of independence and peace looks at a person.

What does the Statue of Liberty look like, where is it, in what country?

Although the creation of this masterpiece was timed to coincide with the centenary of the signing of the US Declaration of Independence and is considered a gift from the French, it would be correct to call it a joint work of the best masters of these two peoples. Even when work was in full swing, what the final version of the Statue of Liberty would look like was not fully known. There is an opinion that even the Egyptian government was asked to receive this work of art as a gift, but it considered it too costly to transport and install it.

If the execution of the sculpture itself was laid on the shoulders of the French, then the Americans were required to find a suitable place where the Statue of Liberty would be after arriving in the country, and prepare a reliable pedestal for it.

Merit of two nations

Both peoples simply did not have enough funds to complete the work, so they went to various tricks to raise money. Theatrical performances, auctions, charitable gatherings, various entertainment events were held, the purpose of which was to attract as many sponsors as possible. As a result, the goal was achieved, the required amount of money was collected and the work was completed, although ten years late from the planned completion date, but today this is no longer so important.

Not less well-known analogues

The statue, located on Liberty Island, has no less professionally made copies and analogues in many countries of the world. They also receive the attention of tourists and local residents, but always, despite their value to the owner country, on a global scale they will remain only a semblance of the world-famous cultural and historical heritage of America.

Those who are interested in where the Statue of Liberty is located in France will be given seven answers at once. There are four in Paris alone. The Parisian museum holds a smaller model of the New York statue and is the most significant for history buffs. Just two meters high, a copy of the famous sculpture can be seen in the Luxembourg Gardens of Paris, and near the Eiffel Tower there is already a rather large, eleven-meter analogue. It is already a return gift from the Americans to the French and is installed in the direction to the west, that is, as if facing the original. It symbolizes peace between the two nations.

It deserves attention

In the place where the life of everyone's beloved Princess Diana tragically ended, there is also a monument to Freedom. It was erected long before the tragic events, but it became especially visited after them. His torch is constantly filled with bouquets of flowers brought by the fans of the deceased.

Tourists who visit Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer do not leave this city without a photo taken near the gilded sculpture. Its form is copied from the New York original, but the luminous torch distinguishes it from all its fellows. "Glowing Freedom" - that's what the locals call it.

In a small square in Poitiers, in memory of Frederic Bartholdi, who created that very American statue, a copy of the masterpiece he created was also installed on the centenary of his death. The area has the same name, and it is not at all difficult for tourists to find it.

For those who are interested in where the Statue of Liberty is located, the country of Japan has prepared a wonderful surprise. On the island of Odaiba in Tokyo, there is a beautiful monument, which is almost an exact copy of the world-famous statue. It was made very skillfully, and every person who visits the capital of Japan will definitely bring memorable pictures taken near it.

Did you know?

It turns out that even in Russia and Ukraine you can find places where the Statue of Liberty is located. Few people know in which city such specimens are located, but in Moscow, guides will definitely tell you about the monument to Nikolai Andreev, which, unfortunately, has not survived to our time, as it was destroyed, but the head of the monument is still kept in the Tretyakov Gallery. In Ukraine, the smallest statue of Liberty in the world, located in the city of Uzhgorod, deserves special attention. Its height is only 30 cm, and its weight is 4 kg, but nevertheless it brings quite a lot of benefits, as it is an operating lighthouse on the Uzh River. And in Lviv there is the only sitting Statue of Liberty in the world, a huge number of tourists come to see it every year.

Symbols of freedom have always been and will be relevant for any nation. Freedom and peace are among the greatest values ​​of mankind. Being close to the majestic monuments of architecture, one can simply physically feel that pressure, that fortitude that was inherent in the fighters for a free and independent existence and allowed them to free themselves from the oppression of the invaders.

I work a lot with children and it is always interesting for me to probe the boundaries of their horizons when we start classes. Sooner or later I ask a question about America, something like: "What do you know about this country?" or "What is the most famous monument in America?" Almost every child tells me that the symbol of America is the Statue of Liberty.

On my list of attractions that I wanted to visit in New York, the Statue of Liberty was number 8. But while walking around the city, it flashed here and there on the horizon so often that I decided to go to it earlier. Having carefully thought out the route and choosing a day, I went to find out what it is and why the Americans need this monument so much.

Statue of Liberty in numbers

It is not at all surprising that the monument is visible from many parts of New York, although it is located on Liberty Island south of Manhattan. After all, the height of the Statue is 93 meters from the base of the pedestal to the tip of the torch. At the same time, Lady Liberty herself occupies only half of the monument - about 46 meters. The length of the right hand holding the torch is almost 13 meters, and the length of the foot is slightly more than 7.5.

Americans like to joke that Lady Liberty's shoe size would be US size 879, 10 times the size of the average American woman. The height of the face from the chin to the crown is more than 5 meters. Madame weighs 204 tons.

How to get there

I was surprised when I found out that formally the Statue of Liberty is not even located in New York itself, but in the waters of the state of New Jersey. However, by special order of 1834, Liberty Island, on which the monument is located, was officially assigned to the state. You can get to the Statue by ferry, which runs from both South Manhattan and Liberty State Park, Jersey City.

The ferry leaves several times a day every day and stops at nearby Ellis Island, historically famous for the fact that it was there that all immigrants who wanted to live in New York arrived. By the way, it was during the times of the strongest migration to the United States, at the end of the 19th century, that the Statue of Liberty became the world-famous symbol of America. She was the first thing to be seen by those arriving at . The statue, holding a torch and illuminating the path, became a blessing for hundreds of people and the personification of a new, better life and hope.

The ferry schedule can be clarified at the official sole provider company. The ferry in New York can be reached by subway (South Ferry station) or by bus (routes M6 and M15 to the South Ferry stop). You can get to the Statue from 9.00 to 17.00 (a little longer in summer) daily, except on December 25, when the monument is generally closed to the public. The ticket price ranges from $18 for an adult basic to $43 for a VIP access without queues. Children from 4 to 12 and pensioners from 62 discounts. A ticket must be bought for a specific date and time no later than two days before the trip: without such a ticket, you can only see the statue from the outside, and you won’t be able to enter the museum and climb the observation decks.

Be prepared for the fact that at the entrance to the ferry you and your belongings will be very carefully examined for safety reasons: there are frames and metal detectors everywhere. With a large bag, by the way, they may not let you in.

History of the Statue of Liberty

I never thought about what exactly I know about the Statue of Liberty. And I literally knew 3 facts:

• The Statue of Liberty was donated by France
• The Statue of Liberty was designed by Gustave Eiffel, the same person who designed the Eiffel Tower.
• The Statue of Liberty is green for some reason (I felt a mystical connection with the color of the dollar)

So, in order.

1) The statue was a gift to America from France

Let's start with the fact that this statue is called not at all like we are used to. Its full name is Liberty Enlightening the World, which immediately refers us to higher intentions and motives than just donating a beacon to a new state in honor of independence. Yes, it was indeed a gift from France in honor of the 100th anniversary of the declaration of independence, but behind its creation are the names that surprised me greatly.

The idea to send something as a gift is attributed to the French politician Edouard de Laboulet, head of the Anti-Slavery Association. In America, shortly before this, the civil war ended, which destroyed, at least formally, the institution of slavery, which de Laboulet decided to celebrate with his gift. He equipped Frederic Bartholdi, the famous European sculptor, on his way, ordering him to visit as many places as possible and think about what could be a significant gift. Bartholdi, arriving in New York, was struck by the fact that every ship on the way to New York Harbor certainly sailed past the small island of Fort Wood - an excellent place for a future gift. The idea also took shape: it was supposed to be a beacon, personifying freedom and illuminating the way for a people full of hope, like the Greek Colossus of Rhodes. Only they decided to make the colossus a woman, creating a soft and less warlike image. The New York government approved the idea, and Bartholdi set to work upon his return to Europe.

2) The statue was designed by Gustave Eiffel.

Not certainly in that way. The famous engineer created the frame for the statue, while Bartholdi worked on the outer copper shell. Isabella Boyer, wife of the famous sewing equipment manufacturer Isaac Singer, posed for the sculptor. The work continued for over 12 years. Interestingly, the statue's finished hand holding the torch was sent to Philadelphia for the 1876 World's Fair, where it raised so much money that Bartholdi was able to complete the figure's head without any financial difficulty. In the middle of construction, it turned out that no engineering techniques allow the statue to become a full-fledged lighthouse without changing its shape. Bartholdi, of course, was upset, but still chose a spectacular pose. At this time, funds were being raised in America to prepare the site and erect the pedestal. At first, the money was invested with great difficulty, but then the fundraising campaign was carried out by Mark Twain, a favorite of the public of writers, and Joseph Pulitzer, a newspaper magnate. The latter, by the way, made a brilliant move with a knight: he promised everyone who contributes even a dollar to the construction to publish his name in their printed publications. People rushed to make small donations and buy newspapers to make sure his name was printed. So Pulitzer raised more than half of the necessary funds and at the same time increased his circulation by several dozen times. Moreover, he created such a stir around the still unfinished statue that by the time the monument arrived, America was literally buzzing with impatience. In 1884, the Statue was dismantled, packed and sent in parts to America. In 1886, under the leadership of President Cleveland, the grand opening of the monument took place.

3) The statue has a bright green color.

This is a fact, but it has nothing to do with my thoughts about the color of the American currency. This is the result of the oxidation of copper under conditions of constant salty humidity. By the way, the fact that it is green can be seen even at night.

Things to do at the Statue

The big is seen from a distance, as they say, - it is best to contemplate the Statue from afar. However, as the ferry approaches the island, its dimensions begin to amaze more and more, and I want to check whether the head will be visible when viewed from the ground :) You can walk around the Statue in a beautifully equipped public garden, sit on benches and admire Lady Liberty from different sides. But the most interesting thing is to climb inside. The elevator inside the statue can only accommodate a few people, so there are always huge lines, but there is also a ladder. True, there are no less people on the stairs. The first observation deck is located on the top of the pedestal, the second - in the crown of the Statue. And from there, of course, the view is breathtaking. Although I don’t know what is more breathtaking: from the views themselves or from the realization that you are standing in the crown of almost the most famous monument in the world. Once it was possible to climb the torch, but at the moment the stairs there are closed.

There is a museum inside the pedestal of the Statue, where you will be told in detail about all the paraphernalia of the monument, for example, that she holds the Declaration of Independence in her left hand, broken fetters lie at her feet as a symbol of conquered slavery, and open sandals and a toga were chosen as an outfit because dressed as the Roman goddess of freedom Libertas. You can also eat and buy souvenirs.

Some more facts

• The statue has become a stumbling block for American suffragettes - activists promoting the right to vote for women. They believed that it was counterintuitive that a huge woman stands at the entrance to New York Harbor and personifies freedom, while American women do not have freedom of speech.
• Despite its huge size, the Statue sways in the wind. This is pure physics: the higher the object, the greater the amplitude of the oscillations in the wind at the top. The Statue Torch, for example, can swing up to half a meter. Such facts generally came as a shock to me when I arrived in. I thought that skyscrapers and other structures are firmly on the ground, but it turned out that, for example, the Empire State Building, one of the tallest skyscrapers in America, sways up to 4 meters!
• The copper sheets with which the statue is upholstered sometimes rattle strongly in the wind. And on a quiet evening, sitting on the embankment somewhere in Brooklyn or South Manhattan, you can hear a rumble and a rather eerie sound from the direction of the monument.
• In 1878, the brilliant inventor Thomas Edison suggested laying wires in the statue and installing equipment with which the statue could "speak". It would be possible to broadcast speeches and various political announcements. The offer was not accepted, although I personally like the idea :)
• In Las Vegas there is a complete copy of the statue, only 2 times lower. And in Paris, there is a statue four times smaller than the original, and it is turned to the west, exactly in the direction of its older sister.

Significance of the Statue

I came to the conclusion that Americans are a very practical people with a very practical mindset. They love structure and order. However, in addition to this, they are also dreamers and romantics, they simply prefer to have a specific material embodiment or at least a symbol for abstract ideas and philosophical concepts. I used to think that the Statue of Liberty is just a good gift that fits perfectly into the landscape of the city, and the bonus to this was that it also carries a symbolic load. Being in the States, I felt how much the Americans really need this statue: like nothing else, it reflects their ideas about freedom and ideals, and at the same time in a very visual and understandable form. Any American kid will think of the Statue at the word "freedom" and the Abraham Lincoln Monument in Washington DC at the word "honesty". Americans are criticized for being materialistic, but I think there is nothing wrong when abstract concepts are associated with something concrete.

On a note

• If you go to the Statue of Liberty in spring or autumn, when rain is likely, take an umbrella or raincoat. If there is a chance that you will find yourself under the scorching sun - goggles and panama. These are not banal recommendations. The fact is that if you don’t have this, on the approach to the ferry to Battery Park or when you get off the ferry on Liberty Island, you will be attacked by very intrusive souvenir and weather outfit dealers. When I went ashore for the first time, I was literally knocked off my feet and deafened by shouts in monstrous English "Umbrla! Umbrla!", Pointing umbrellas in my face. This slightly spoiled my mood, which was already barely breathing because of the rain.
• VIP access without queues will save you literally 5 minutes of time, since those who want to bypass the general queue line up their own, VIP one :)
• Key chains and other souvenirs with symbols are best bought not in the places where you visit, but in China Town - this is an area in Manhattan. It is there that they are sold at a bargain price, mark-ups begin literally three blocks away, and in purely tourist places the same figurines and key chains will cost several times more, although the product is the same, it has been verified.

Jeroen van Luin / flickr.com Alan Strakey / flickr.com Liberty Island, New York, USA (Delta Whiskey / flickr.com) Statue of Liberty, New York, USA (Mobilus In Mobili / flickr.com) Andy Atzert / flickr .com Anthony Quintano / flickr.com Liberty Island, New York (Phil Dolby / flickr.com) Anthony Quintano / flickr.com Chris Tse / flickr.com sylvain.collet / flickr.com Plaque in the left hand of the Statue of Liberty with date of adoption Declaration of Independence (Pete Bellis / flickr.com) ali sinan köksal / flickr.com Jon Dawson / flickr.com Tom Thai / flickr.com Wilhelm Joys Andersen / flickr.com David Ohmer / flickr.com Justin / flickr.com Statue of Liberty Torch (Mike Clarke / flickr.com) Top view of the Statue of Liberty (StatueLibrtyNPS / flickr.com)

The Statue of Liberty is the main symbol of the American people, the idea of ​​freedom. In addition, this is another symbol of the New York metropolis.

The majestic building in America is located on Liberty Island. Approximately 3,000 meters southwest of Manhattan Island, New York. Until the year 56 of the last century, the island in the USA, which now adorns the Statue of Liberty, was referred to as Bedloe. Although at the beginning of the century it was already nicknamed the "Island of Freedom".

In the right hand of the statue, which is 12.8 meters long, a torch burns. On the left is a tablet, the length of which is 4.14 meters. It bears the date of the Declaration of Independence of the United States from Great Britain.

Broken chains are seen under the feet of the statue, which, in turn, symbolizes liberation. On the head, the distance from the chin to the back of the head is 5.26 meters. The length of the nose is 1.37 meters.

Statue of Liberty 7 Prong Crown, New York (sylvain.collet / flickr.com)

The statue is crowned with a crown of 7 teeth. It is a symbol of the seven seas and at the same time the seven continents. According to geography, there are only seven continents on the globe: Asia, Europe, North America, South America, Africa, Australia, Antarctica. Seven seas mean the same number of parts of the oceans. Also, windows are made in the crown, which shine like diamonds in the sun and decorate it.

Another fact is that visitors usually walk 192 steps to climb the pedestal. And in order to climb to the very top, you need to overcome 356 steps. The size of the statue is very impressive. The total height of the structure is 93 meters. And the height of the particular statue is 46 meters.

To visit this attraction, you need to get to the island by ferry. Usually they climb to the very top, from where you can admire the stunning panorama of New York and its harbor, indescribable.

Who gave the Statue of Liberty to America?

Despite the fact that the Statue of Liberty is a symbol of America and New York, it was by no means made in the States. Where did she come from then?

Tablet in the left hand of the Statue of Liberty with the date of the Declaration of Independence (Pete Bellis / flickr.com)

The attraction is interesting because it is a gift from France on Independence Day to the States. The statue was designed and made by Frederic Auguste Bartholdi, a French sculptor. The main idea is to make a gift to America on the centenary of the Declaration of Independence.

The widow Isabella Boyer posed for the statue. An interesting fact is that it was the wife of Singer, the American creator of the famous brand of sewing machines. This lady was not the last person in the capital and at the same time a beautiful woman.

An interesting fact - the Statue of Liberty was originally planned to be placed not in New York, but in Port Said - in Egypt. But the Egyptian authorities considered this project too expensive. Therefore, it was decided to transfer the building to the USA, where it will rise on the island of the New York metropolis.

Design and preparation for construction

The authorities of the States undertook to build a pedestal, and in Paris they made the statue itself. The French undertook to install it on the spot.

Top view of Liberty Article, New York, USA (Phil Dolby / flickr.com)

In order to collect the necessary amount for the implementation of the project, special measures were taken in both states. In France, a certain amount of money was raised thanks to lotteries, entertainment events, and donations from citizens. In America, theatrical performances, exhibitions of artists, fights in the ring and auctions were held to collect the required amount.

In France, the author of the construction, Bartholdi, needed a technically educated person to construct the statue. Another interesting fact is that this person was destined to become the architect Gustave Eiffel, whose most famous work in the future was the Eiffel Tower. He needed to design a steel support for the structure and a frame to support the tall statue in an upright position.

For a statue of great height, a huge amount of copper was needed. There are various interesting versions about the place of its extraction. For example, in Russia, in Nizhny Tagil. But according to the results of the study, it turned out that the copper was from Norway. The concrete base on which the Statue of Liberty stands required a large amount of cement. The German company for the production of concrete undertook to deliver it.

The formation of the amount needed for the construction was not fast enough. Joseph Pulitzer even urged American citizens to support the construction. His speeches significantly influenced the speed of the implementation of the plan. The pedestal was designed by an architect named Richard Morris Hunt.

Erection of the Statue of Liberty

The construction of the massive foundation near Manhattan in New York began on August 5, 1885. They built it in a little less than 9 months, and the work ended on April 22, 1886. Steel lintels are inserted inside the stone pedestal. The metal beams connected to them are directed upwards to go into the Eiffel frame inside the structure itself.

France made its gift in the summer. The length of the entire structure turned out to be almost 34 meters. For transportation, it was dismantled into 350 fragments, which were distributed among many boxes. They were transported to the United States on the Ysere ship. After 11 months, the Statue of Liberty appeared near New York, where it was erected in 4 months of work.

Officially, the Statue of Liberty was opened in 1886 in New York. The ceremony was attended by Grover Cleveland, then ruling in the United States, and more than a thousand residents and guests of the city.

History of the Statue of Liberty in the United States of America

The Statue of Liberty near New York City sits on its massive granite base inside Fort Wood, built for defensive purposes in the early 19th century. Until the beginning of the 20th century, the lighthouse service was responsible for the operation of the facility. After this role was taken over by the military in the United States.

On October 15, by decree of the US government, Fort Wood, in combination with the Statue of Liberty, acquired the status of a monument to the American nation in the United States.

"a symbol of New York and the USA" Jon Dawson / flickr.com

In 1933, the US National Park Service became responsible for the Statue of Liberty. In 1937, the size of the monument grew and began to coincide with the outline of Bedloe. In 1956, the name of the island changed, it acquired a new name - Liberty Island.

In 82 of the last century, under the influence of the head of the country, Reagan, a project was created to restore the Statue of Liberty. As a result, an amount of 87 million dollars was collected. In 1984, restoration work began, during which the old torch was replaced with a modern one with gold coating. Another interesting fact is that 24-carat gold was used for coating. In 1986, the renovated Statue of Liberty welcomed everyone to visit it on the occasion of the anniversary.

In early September 2001, due to the tragedy in the Twin Towers, the island, along with the Statue of Liberty, became inaccessible to those wishing to visit it. And only in 2004, the Statue of Liberty was again open to the public, but access to the top was still closed.

Since July 4, 2009, by order of US President Obama, it has become possible to visit the top of the Statue of Liberty. In 2011, elevators with stairs were updated in honor of the next anniversary. In addition, for the convenience of visitors, an escalator was installed here. In 2012, the Statue of Liberty became fully accessible to New Yorkers and visitors to the United States.

The Statue of Liberty is one of the symbols of America and New York. It has been attracting tourists for many years and is a cult place among Americans.