Statue of Liberty officially is known as Liberty Enlightening the
World
Statue of Liberty facts for kids
- The Statue of Liberty is holding a tablet inscribed with the date of the Independence of America in her left hand and a raised torch in her right hand representing knowledge and enlightenment
- Construction of the Statue of Liberty started on September 1875 and the monument was completed in July, 1884 and arrived in New York Harbor in June of 1885.
- The Statue of Liberty was built by France to celebrate America's first 100 years as a nation and the tablet is inscribed with the date of American Independence. The monument commemorates the alliance between the United States and France during the Revolutionary War.
- Bartholdi selected Bedloe's Island as the site for the statue because he considered it's location as the "Gateway to America." The island measures 10 acres (4 hectares)
- Her spiky hat is symbolic. Yes, each of the seven spikes on her crown represent the seven oceans and the seven continents of the world. This is said to represent the universal concept of liberty. It’s not only about fashion!
- She escaped her chains. Although you cannot see, at the statues feet there are broken shackles symbolizing the country moving forward from oppression and slavery. She is also moving her right foot towards a new, free era.
- On February 22, 1877, Congress voted to accept the gift, and set apart Bedloe's Island for the site.
- She was transported from France on board the French frigate "Isere". Whilst in transit, she was reduced to 350 individual pieces and packed in 214 crates. Its official presentation to the minister of the United States took place July 4, 1884.
- The Statue was erected a large granite pedestal inside the courtyard of the star shaped walls of Fort Wood, built for the War of 1812 against the British
- The dedication of monument took place October 28, 1886 during the presidency of Grover Cleveland. The Dedication celebration was a great event attended by President Cleveland, General Sheridan, the members of the President's cabinet and the sculptor Bartholdi together with thousands of people with parades, music, flags and gunshot salutes. Every bell in New York harbor was rung.
- It would later become the iconic landmark for all European immigrants on the last leg of their journey from Europe to EllisIsland and a new life in the United States.
- Liberty Island, with nearby Ellis Island, became part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument in 1984. A museum is housed in the base of the monument
- Between 1984 - 1986 restoration work was completed and some parts of the statue had to be completely replaced with exact replicas of the original. It's centennial was celebrated on July 4, 1986.
- Liberty Island was hit by the storm surge from Hurricane Sandy on October 28, 2012. It was closed for eight months Liberty Island and reopened on July 4, 2013.
More Facts for Kids
To learn about the Statue of Liberty history we reached for a book “LILY AND MISS
LIBERTY”, by Carla Stevens.
This historical novel for children is set during the time when the
French people
presented the Statue of Liberty to America. The statue was ready, but there was
no base on which to set it. The people of America had to supply the base for
the statue. Even the schoolchildren helped and Lily did her part by making
paper crowns and selling them.
Activities with the book http://gardenofpraise.com/lesson6.htm
More PDF activities http://www.teachingbooks.net/media/pdf/BF/LillyandMissLibertyBG.pdf
Emma's Poem: The Voice of the Statue of Liberty, by: Linda Glaser
“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to
breathe free."
Every schoolchild in America has heard Emma Lazarus' poem and sees the
State of Liberty as a beacon for incoming immigrants. But when Emma Lazarus
wrote her poem, the Statue of Liberty, then being designed in France, didn't
have anything to do with immigrants yet. This fascinating picture book tells
the story of Emma's care for immigrants as well as the impact her poem would
have on the new statue-and the people who passed under her torch.
"The Statue of Liberty", by: Lucille Recht Penner, Juda Rowland
Engaging, simple text presents the construction and symbolism of the
skyscraper-sized "Lady Liberty," France's unique gift to the United
States, who watches over New York Harbor.
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