10 Surprising Facts About the Statue of Liberty You Never Knew
The iconic structure of the Statue of Liberty is a symbol of freedom and a beacon of hope for millions of people around the world. However, there is more to this majestic structure than meets the eye. Here are some surprising facts about the Statue of Liberty that you may not have known before.
1. The Statue of Liberty was a gift from France to America
The statue was a gift from the people of France to the United States in honor of the centennial of American independence in 1876. Designed by French sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi and built by Gustave Eiffel, the statue took 10 years to complete.
2. The statue was originally known as ‘Liberty Enlightening the World’
The statue’s official title is ‘La Liberté éclairant le monde’, which means Liberty Enlightening the World. It was given this name to symbolize the enlightenment of the world by liberty.
3. The statue was not always green
The statue was initially copper-colored, like a penny. However, over time, it turned green due to the oxidation of the copper.
4. The statue was almost located in Egypt
Egypt was the original location for the statue. However, it was moved to New York after the Egyptian government refused to pay for the pedestal.
5. The statue was not used for commercial purposes
Initially thought of as a symbol of American commercialism, the statue was not used for commercial purposes.
6. The statue was once a lighthouse
The statue served as a lighthouse from 1886 to 1902.
7. Lady Liberty was not the only statue of its kind
There are several other statues of the same lady throughout the United States, including New York’s Liberty Island, New York’s Staten Island, and Paris, Texas.
8. The statue weighs more than 450,000 pounds
The statue weighs about 450,000 pounds (225 tons), making it one of the heaviest statues in the world.
9. The statue’s crown features seven rays of light
The seven rays of light represent the seven continents and the seven seas of the world.
10. The statue’s torch was once replaced
The statue’s original torch was replaced in 1986 with a new torch all encased in 24k gold.
In conclusion, The Statue of Liberty is undoubtedly a wonder of engineering and a timeless symbol of freedom around the globe. Next time you visit Lady Liberty, keep these fascinating facts in mind and appreciate how incredible this structure is.
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