The Statue of Liberty – A Beacon of American Freedom
- Mick Young
- Oct 2
- 2 min read
The Statue of Liberty is one of the most iconic symbols of American freedom and democracy – a beacon of hope and freedom. Its history is rooted in international friendship, a shared commitment to liberty, and a powerful message to all who seek freedom.
The statue was a gift from the people of France to the United States in 1886, commemorating the alliance between the two nations during the American Revolutionary War and celebrating the Centennial of American independence (1776–1876). It was also intended to highlight shared ideals of liberty, republicanism, and democracy.
The French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi designed the statue, and Gustave Eiffel, who later built the Eiffel Tower, engineered the internal iron structure. The United States was responsible for building the pedestal, which was funded through donations, benefit events, and the efforts of publisher Joseph Pulitzer, who rallied the public through his newspaper.
The statue was completed in France in 1884, disassembled, shipped to the U.S. in 350 individual pieces, and reassembled on Liberty Island (then called Bedloe’s Island) in New York Harbor. It was officially dedicated on October 28, 1886, by President Grover Cleveland.
In 1903, a bronze plaque was added to the pedestal featuring Emma Lazarus’s famous poem:
"Give me your tired, your poor,Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free..."
This poem transformed the statue into a welcoming symbol for immigrants, especially during the great wave of immigration at Ellis Island just a short distance away. It was designated a National Monument in 1924 and remains one of the most visited and recognized symbols in the world.
The Statue of Liberty was designed and built with a great deal of Symbolism. The torch signifies enlightenment, lighting the way to freedom. The crown with seven rays represents the seven continents and seven seas, proclaiming America’s role as a defender of liberty across the globe. The broken chains at her feet signify the breaking of tyranny and oppression. And the tablet in her hand, inscribed with July 4, 1776 in Roman numerals, honors the birth of American liberty.
She is not just a statue – she is a sentinel of hope, a tribute to the courage of our Founders, and a reminder that freedom is earned, guarded, and passed on. May she forever stand as a symbol of what it means to be American by birth, and patriot by choice. The Statue of Liberty's image has been used by people around the world to call for greater equality, an end to injustice, and more enlightened societies.
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