Monday, December 12, 2011

The statue of Liberty

The statue of liberty, originally called Liberty Enlightening the world is a statue on Liberty Island, formerly Bedloe’s island, in the harbour of New York.

 The statue symbolises liberty in the form of a woman wearing flowing robes and a spiked crown. She holds a torch aloft in her right hand and carries in her left hand a book inscribed  “july 4, 1776”. Broken chains, symbolizing the overthrow of tyranny, lie at her feet. The statue was designed by the French sculptor frederic Bartholdi and was given by France to the United States to commemorate the centennial of US independence in 1876.

 France raised funds by popular subscription to pay for the statue; US donors financed the pedestal and installation of the monument. President Grover Cleveland dedicated the work on October 28, 1886. The statue, the island, and nearby Ellis Island were declared a national monument in 1924. The statue formed of copper sheets riveted to an iron framework, is one of the largest in the world.


 It measures 93.5m (306 ft 8 in) from the bottom of the pedestal to the tip of the torch. The figure itself is 46.4m (152 ft 2 in) high; the right arm is 12.8m (42 ft) long; the hand is 5.03 m(16 ft 5 in) long;  and the head,which is reachable staircase or emergency lift, measures 8.5m (28 ft) from neck to diadem and 3.05 m (10ft) from ear to ear. The statue weight 254 tonnes (250tons).

 Originally conceived as agesture of international friendship, the statue has become a global symbol of freedom, marking the arrival of millions of immigrants to the United States. You can eanjoy this beautifull place by visiting here.

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