10 Fun Facts about the Statue of Liberty

Do you know the Statue of Liberty? This iconic symbol of freedom has some surprising secrets!

We all know the Statue of Liberty as one of the most popular landmarks in the world. It’s a symbol of the USA, which has been standing strong for the last 145 years, but still, many people are not aware of interesting facts about this iconic landmark. Let's dive into 10 fun facts about the Statue of Liberty that you might not know.

• Fact #1: The True Name of the Statue

The real name of the Statue of Liberty is Liberty Enlightening the World, which was designed by French sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi, and Richard Morris Hunt in 1870.

• Fact #2: Step Towards Freedom

The stature appears to be standing straight but in reality, the right foot is moving forward which depicts that she is walking towards freedom.

• Fact #3: The Fundraising Effort

The statue was possible to build, thanks to a fundraiser started by Joseph Pulitzer a New York World publisher, who was able to raise $101,091 which was donated by 160,000 donors.

• Fact #4: Materials of Monumental Weight

The statue has 62,000 of copper and 250,000 lbs of steel, the pedestal is constructed out of concrete which weighs 54 million lbs.

• Fact #5: From Bedloe’s Island to Liberty Island

The initial island to place the statue was Bedloe’s Island, but later Liberty Island was chosen, as it's right in upper New York Bay and whoever enters New York Harbor could see it.

• Fact #6: The Face Behind the Statue

The statue's resolute face is believed to have been modeled after Charlotte Beysser Bartholdi, the sculptor's mother, although Bartholdi never confirmed this. Some accounts suggest that the face may actually represent his troubled brother. Interestingly, the statue’s torso as well as the arms were modeled after his wife, adding a personal touch to this iconic figure.

• Fact #7: A Marvel of Engineering

The statue took 9 years to build and was sent from France to the USA by disassembling it into 350 pieces that required 214 crates to hold. After reaching New York, the statue took four months to put pieces together.

• Fact #8: The Green Transformation

The Statue of Liberty didn't seem green when she was first put together, even though she does now. The statue's exterior was composed of drab reddish brown copper plates. Oxidation caused a progressive greening of the plates. This procedure produced a copper carbonate patina, a covering that also aids in shielding the metal from corrosive degradation over time.

• Fact #9: Symbolism in Every Detail

Every part of the statue has a hidden meaning! The seven oceans and seven continents are symbolized by the seven points on the statue's crown. The seven distinct freedoms—civil, moral, natural, personal, national, political, and religious are also represented by it.

• Fact #10: Gustave Eiffel's Legacy

Before working on the statue's construction, Gustave Eiffel was a bridge engineer. He thought the cladding looked unattractive; thus he wasn't fond of the concept of covering his work with copper plates. That being said, he might have been motivated by this project because, upon finishing the structure, he suggested building the Eiffel Tower.