Perhaps, not only the native American, but also any inhabitant of our planet on the question what is a symbol of the United States, without hesitation, will answer: Statue of Liberty. It is not accidental that this monument is most often seen in American cinema, it's not by chance that when we are tourists we buy in souvenir shops and we bring home copies of the Statue of Liberty.
By the way, not everyone knows that the full name of the Statue of Liberty sounds like "Liberty Enlightening the World" . 46-meter (93- meter with a pedestal) the Statue of Liberty, proudly towering on the island of the same name, is a gift presented to the US on behalf of the French people who once supported the Americans in the struggle for independence . The idea of creating the Statue of Liberty as a symbol of independence and democracy was born in 1865 and belongs to the banner French scientist Eduard Rene Lefevre de Labulaye . The concept of the monument was designed by the French sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartoldi .
The original model of the Statue of Liberty was made by Bartholdi in 1870, today this first copy of the legendary monument can be seen in the Luxembourg Garden near the Eiffel Tower in Paris
Place for the Statue of Liberty, or Interesting fact
In what exactly corner of the American land the monument will be erected, Bartholdi chose. In his opinion, it was simply impossible to find a place better than the island of Bedlaw, located 3 km south-west of the southern border of Manhattan. However, historians raise the curtain and reveal some secrets to us.
It turns out that Bartholdi represented his giant sculpture not only on the island near New York, but also in Port Said, located in the Suez Canal connecting the Red and Mediterranean Seas. The project "Egypt, bringing light to Asia" was not destined to come true, but the works of Bartholdi were not in vain, the sculptor successfully implemented his idea in reality on the territory of the USA, moreover, the builder of the Suez Canal Lessens was put in charge of the committee for the creation of the Statue of Liberty in the USA .
A bit of history
The project of erecting a monument on Bedlou Island was approved by the US Congress only in 1877, and this despite the fact that according to the plan of the French, an unusual present was to be ready for the hundredth anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence SHA, that is, by July 4, 1876 . However, the collection of funds was delayed, and by this time only a copper hand with a torch was ready, which until the completion of the work on the statue was sheltered in New York on Madison Square . By July In 1878 the head of the Lady of Liberty was ready . Then the head was presented at the exhibition at the Museum of Arts and Crafts in Paris .
The first presentation of the finished Statue of Liberty was held on July 4, 1884 in France, after which the monument was dismantled and sent to the USA . In New York the Statue of Liberty arrived July 17, 1885 . The assembly of the monument lasted about 4 months . However, the official opening of the Statue of Liberty in New York by US President Grover Cleveland took place only on October 28, 1886 . At the solemn opening ceremony there were only mu ranks . And this despite the fact that the Statue of Liberty is a symbol of democracy . As an exception on that day, only 8-year-old daughter Lessens and wife Bartoldi were allowed to be present on the island .
By the way, Bedlou Island officially was renamed Liberty Island only in 1956, although Bartholdi proposed to do so in the 19th century, 80 years before the event.
The Statue of Liberty from inside and outside
The Statue of Liberty is a steel frame whose total weight is 125 tons . For the design and construction of steel th construction was invited by Gustav Eiffel, his work was continued by Moris Kekhlin .The skeleton is constructed in such a way that it is possible to move freely inside the monument and even climb the spiral staircases up .Up to the main viewing platform, located in the corona, 354 steps .From there, out of the 25 windows that symbolize the gems, an amazing view opens up to the New York Harbor .By the way, seven rays of the crown symbolize the seven seas and seven continents, as it is commonly believed in the West .
From the top, the steel skeleton is covered with artfully minted copper sheets in wooden forms, only 2, 37 mm thick and weighing 31 tons. Copper plates, which are coiled together, form the silhouette of a statue. By the way, copper was supplied to France from Russia. It is worth noting that one leg of the statue stands on broken bonds - so Bartholdi symbolically showed the acquisition of freedom. The date on which the Declaration of Independence is signed on the plate in the left hand of the Statue of Liberty is July 4, 1776: JULY IV MDCCLXXVI.
The monument's pedestal was designed by the American architect Richard Morris Hunt. Works on its erection were started in the summer of 1885, and completed in April 1886. The cement foundation of the Statue of Liberty weighs 27 thousand tons. To get to the top of the pedestal, you need to overcome 192 steps. Inside the pedestal there is a museum, which can be reached by an elevator.
The Statue of Liberty was repeatedly restored, new elements of lighting were added. At present the monument is equipped with laser illumination.
Who is Lady of Liberty?
Who was the model of Bartholdy, whose face illuminates the world? Who ever for ever captured a great sculptor in the image of the Roman Goddess Libertas? For sure, these questions are asked by the Americans themselves and by visitors from all over the world.
On this account, there are two opinions. Someone thinks that Bartholdy captured in his work the face of the Frenchwoman Isabella Boyer, the widow of Isaac Singer. Others hold the view that the Statue of Liberty inherited the image of the sculptor's mother - Charlotte. What opinion is true, still remains a mystery that is unlikely to ever be unraveled.
How to get here
Every year more than 4 million tourists from all over the world visit the Statue of Liberty. The entrance to the National Park of the island is free, however, to get to it you will have to spend money on the ferry, and also undergo a thorough inspection at the berths.
Ferries depart from New York. You can go on a trip to the Statue of Liberty from the battery of Battery Park, which is in Manhattan, or with Liberty State Park, which is located in Jersey City. Entrance to the statue is free, for a ferry you have to pay an adult $ 13, children 4-12 years old - $ 5.