17 Interesting Facts about the Statue of Liberty

The Statue of Liberty, also known as Liberty Enlightening the World, is a 93-meter-tall statue in New York City. It is also one of the most famous and beloved icons in the world. People who travel to the United States for the first time wish to see the Statue of Liberty. But most people don’t know that the statue is of a French lady. There are also several other interesting facts about the Statue of Liberty. In this detailed article, I will write about some interesting facts about the Statue of Liberty.

Also see: List of World Heritage Sites in the United States

Facts about the Statue of Liberty

1. The Statue of Liberty was a gift from the people of France to the United States. The Statue of Liberty was dedicated on October 28, 1886, as a symbol of friendship between the two countries.
2. The Statue of Liberty was designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and its metal framework was built by Gustave Eiffel, who also designed the Eiffel Tower.
3. The statue is officially titled “Liberty Enlightening the World” and represents Libertas, the Roman goddess of freedom.
4. The copper statue stands at a height of 151 feet (46 meters) from the base to the tip of the torch. With the pedestal included, it reaches a total height of 305 feet (93 meters).
5. The statue’s weight is approximately 450,000 pounds (204 metric tons), with the copper sheeting alone weighing around 62,000 pounds (28 metric tons).
6. The construction of the statue finished on July 1884 in France and it arrived in New York Harbor on 17 June 1885. In transit, the statue was divided into 350 pieces and it took 4 months to re-assemble all the parts in the US.
7. The seven spikes on the crown of the statue represent the seven continents and seven seas of the world. The length of each spike is 9 feet and weighs around 150 pounds.
8. The statue’s face is said to be modeled after Bartholdi’s mother, and the statue’s body was modeled after a French artist and Bartholdi’s mistress, named Charlotte Bartholdi.
9. The statue originally had a shiny copper color, but over time, it has oxidized and developed a green patina due to the effects of weathering.
10. If you look closely, the feet have broken shackles. It symbolizes that the country is moving forward from oppression and slavery.
11. The tablet held by the statue in her left-hand measures 23′ 7″ tall and 13′ 7″ wide. The tablet is inscribed with the date JULY IV MDCCLXXVI (July 4, 1776).
12. The statue has been featured in numerous films and popular culture, including the 1984 film “Ghostbusters II” and the 2005 film “Batman Begins.”
13. The Statue of Liberty was designated as a National Monument in 1924 and later became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.
14. The statue underwent a major restoration project from 1984 to 1986 in preparation for its centennial celebration.
15. The torch of the Statue of Liberty was replaced in 1986 and is covered in 24k gold leaf. The original torch is on display in the statue’s museum.
16. The statue’s crown observation deck offers panoramic views of New York City and its surroundings. It features 25 windows, symbolizing gemstones found on the Earth.
17. The statue is a popular tourist attraction, with millions of visitors from around the world visiting it each year.

The physical characteristics of the Statue of Liberty are as: