Many of the facts are commonly known but interesting nonetheless. I found the list at howstuffworks.com (one of my favorite sites of all time) so it was a simple copy and paste job for this post.
1. The Statue's Real Name
The statue's real name is "Liberty Enlightening the World."
2. Construction Begins
Construction of the statue began in France in 1875.
3. Masterminds
Lady Liberty was sculpted by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi; Alexandre Gustave Eiffel was the structural engineer.
4. Completion
The statue was completed in Paris in June 1884, given to the American people on July 4, 1884, and reassembled and dedicated in the United States on October 28, 1886.
5. The Model
The model for the face of the statue is reputed to be the sculptor's mother, Charlotte Bartholdi.
6. The Replica
A quarter-scale bronze replica of Lady Liberty was erected in Paris in 1889 as a gift from Americans living in the city. The statue stands about 35 feet high and is located on a small island in the River Seine, about a mile south of the Eiffel Tower.
7. Spikes and Windows
There are 25 windows and 7 spikes in Lady Liberty's crown. The spikes are said to symbolize the seven seas.
8. The Inscription
The inscription on the statue's tablet reads: July 4, 1776 (in Roman numerals).
9. Visitors
More than four million people visit the Statue of Liberty each year.
10. Symbolism
Symbolizing freedom and the opportunity for a better life, the Statue of Liberty greeted millions of immigrants as they sailed through New York Harbor on their way to nearby Ellis Island.
11. Height
Lady Liberty is 152 feet 2 inches tall from base to torch and 305 feet 1 inch tall from the ground to the tip of her torch.
12. The Hands
The statue's hand is 16 feet 5 inches long and her index finger is 8 feet long. Her fingernails are 13 inches long by 10 inches wide and weigh approximately 3.5 pounds each.
13. Eyes, Waist, and Weight
Lady Liberty's eyes are each 2 feet 6 inches across, she has a 35-foot waistline, and she weighs about 450,000 pounds (225 tons).
14. The Sandals
Lady Liberty's sandals are 25 feet long, making her shoe size 879.
15. The Steps
There are 192 steps from the ground to the top of the pedestal and 354 steps from the pedestal to the crown.
16. The Lighthouse
The statue functioned as an actual lighthouse from 1886 to 1902. There was an electric plant on the island to generate power for the light, which could be seen 24 miles away.
17. Renovation
The Statue of Liberty underwent a multimillion dollar renovation in the mid-1980s before being rededicated on July 4, 1986. During the renovation, Lady Liberty received a new torch because the old one was corroded beyond repair.
18. The Original Torch
The Statue of Liberty's original torch is now on display at the monument's museum.
19. The View
Until September 11, 2001, the Statue of Liberty was open to the public and visitors were able to climb the winding staircase inside the statue to the top of her crown for a spectacular view of New York Harbor.
20. The Interior
Although the pedestal and the museum are once again open to the public, the interior of the Statue remains closed. Legislation has been proposed to reopen the inside of the statue to the public, but until then visitors can view the interior framework through the pedestal's glass ceiling.
3 comments:
Awesome List!
hey! these facts really helped on my hmwrk! i had to research 20 facts about the Statue of Liberty. now i have 5 more to go!!!!! THANKS!!!! =) ;D :P
hey me too I had to do 10 . But cool facts. I only knew a few
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