In New York Harbor, there’s a famous statue called the Statue of Liberty. It’s one of the most well-known landmarks in the world! Its real name is “Liberty Enlightening the World,” and it stands as a symbol of freedom and friendship between countries.
The story of the Statue of Liberty started in 1865 when a Frenchman named Édouard de Laboulaye had an idea. He wanted to create a monument to celebrate the friendship between France and America. In 1875, a sculptor named Auguste Bartholdi was chosen to design the statue.
The people in America decided to pay for the base of the statue, called the pedestal, while the French people paid for the statue itself. It was hard to raise all the money needed. The statue was finished in France in 1884, but the pedestal took two more years to complete. The statue was shipped to the United States in 350 pieces packed in 214 crates. Once the pedestal was ready, it took four months to put the statue together. On October 28, 1886, President Grover Cleveland dedicated the Statue of Liberty with a big celebration, including parades, speeches, and fireworks.
The Statue of Liberty shows a woman in a robe, representing Libertas, the Roman goddess of liberty. She wears a crown with seven points, which stand for the seven seas or continents. In one hand, she holds a tablet with “July 4, 1776” written in Roman numerals, marking the day the Declaration of Independence was signed. In her other hand, she holds a torch covered in gold leaf.
At first, the statue was a shiny copper color, but over time, it turned green because of the weather. The statue is very heavy, weighing 450,000 pounds (225 tons), and it stands over 151 feet (46 meters) tall, as tall as a 22-story building when you include the pedestal.
The Statue of Liberty has been a welcoming sight for millions of immigrants coming to the United States through New York. For many, it was the first thing they saw when arriving in their new home, representing the freedom America offers.
Inside the statue, there’s a poem by Emma Lazarus that helped raise money for the pedestal. It starts with these famous lines:
“Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”
Now almost 130 years old, the Statue of Liberty stands as a symbol of hope and welcome for those seeking freedom and a new life in America. It also represents the lasting friendship between France and the United States. As a World Heritage Site, the Statue of Liberty is so special and important that it must be protected and preserved for future generations to enjoy.
Create Your Own Symbol: Think about what freedom means to you. Using paper, crayons, or colored pencils, draw your own symbol of freedom. It could be an animal, an object, or even a person. Share your drawing with your family or friends and explain why you chose that symbol. How does it represent freedom to you?
Build a Mini Statue: Using clay or playdough, try to create a small model of the Statue of Liberty. Pay attention to the details like the crown, the torch, and the tablet. Once you’re done, discuss with a partner or family member what each part of the statue represents and why it’s important.
Freedom in Your Community: Take a walk around your neighborhood or community with an adult. Look for symbols or signs of freedom, like flags or statues. Take pictures or draw what you find. When you return, talk about how these symbols make you feel and why they might be important to your community.
