Welcome back to National Parks and other public lands with T!
On this day, 134 years ago, President Grover Cleveland presided over the dedication of the Statue of Liberty. A gift from the French to the American people, Liberty Enlightening the World has welcomed millions of immigrants to New York and the USA.
The statue, made of copper, was designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi. The metal supporting framework was designed by Gustave Eiffel, famous for Paris’ Eiffel Tower. The sculpture was built in France and shipped to the US in sections to be assembled on a pedestal provided by the US.
Financing for the pedestal proved difficult. Publisher Joseph Pulitzer started a fundraising campaign and secured more than 120,000 donations of a dollar or less.
Lady Liberty holds a torch in one hand and a tablet inscribed with July 4, 1776 (In Roman numerals) in the other. At her feet lies a broken shackle to symbolize the post-civil war abolition of slavery. Over the decades she became a global icon for freedom.
Etched in bronze on the pedestal:
The New Colossus
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.“Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she
With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” –Emma Lazarus
Statue Of Liberty Posts:
- The Ellis Island Immigrant Hospital
- Statue of Liberty National Monument
- Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration
- Statue of Liberty Museum
Location: Jersey City & New York City
Designation: National Monument & World Heritage Site
Date designated or established: 10/28/1886, NPS 1933
Date of my visit: 9/23/2019
Nice post, as always. Reminded me of my own visit here back in May, 2007. I like how you always take care to put these posts out on meaningful days.
Thanks, Leighton, I appreciate that! 💜
I hope to see it up close one day.
I know Ellis Island recently reopened for tours. Not sure about Liberty Island
What a beautiful story and I love your family connection. I have been by but never gotten to visit the island. This must be done some day soon. Thank you for educating us on these places!
Thanks so much for reading and commenting! I know Ellis Island is open again on a limited basis. Not sure about Liberty Island. The ferry ticket usually includes stops at both
I’m hoping for sometime next year. And you’re welcome!!
Thank you for sharing. It’s nice to know the history of your ancestors.
Thanks!😀
We never made it here on either of our two trips to NYC, but we admired Lady Liberty from a distance. Thanks for taking us there, T. Allan
Thanks for reading and commenting! Come back when it’s safe
Fingers crossed that happens soon.
My wife’s family also came over from Italy (Sicily) in the early 1900s. We would do well to remember the words on that tablet and revisit them often.
Yes indeed!
A welcome post as we move into this election, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to be free!” A grand symbol of American democracy. Thanks. Curt
What an interesting family connection you have. I wish the sentiment in Lazarus’s poem was still felt by our government today (and citizens, too). I was not aware of the shackle at her feet – must be difficult to see.
No, I don’t think you can see that from the ground. Maybe looking down from the crown, but I haven’t climbed up there to see what the view looks like. Yes I was very excited to see that photo years ago when my grandmother brought out her photo album. My mom had never seen it either
Agreed! Hopefully we can get back to these ideals
The inscription never gets old.
I shed a tear every time I read it
How precious to have a photo of your great-grandfather there. Thanx for sharing your cool pics and info.
Art
Thanks so much!
Terrific post and images, T. Having grown up in NJ, I have memories of visiting the Statue of Liberty with my family and climbing up to the crown. We were required to memorize “give me your tired…” in 6th grade. I can still recite it. 😉
PS. I meant to mention that wonderful photo of your great grandfather.
Thanks! I was very excited when my grandmother showed me that photo. I borrowed the album to scan it all in years ago…glad I did because the album disappeared after she died
Awesome! I’ve never been up in the crown.
A timely reminder of what this country has stood for over the course of its history. I had forgotten about the shackles at Lady Liberty’s feet. It’s time she kicked them into the sea where they can’t be retrieved.
How wonderful that your great-grandfather worked on this monument so soon after he arrived, and how wonderful this photo exists!
Best wishes,
Tanja
Agreed! And yes I was excited when my grandmother showed me those photos so many years ago.
That is so cool that your great grandfather worked on the Statue of Liberty.
I thought so too!
Nice post! What a wonderful story!
Thanks!
Such greatness, you must be super proud of your great grandpa been involved in Lady Liberty we see today.
I’ve read quite a number of posts on this world marvel but I’d missed that Mr Eiffel also contributed to this. He must be smiling in his resting place… LoL
It’s always good to learn something new and did you know that the statue wasn’t always green?
Thanks for sharing!!!
Thanks! Ah yes, that’s what happens to copper exposed to all that saltwater
Hehe! Thanks for agreeing.