The Statue Of Liberty's History In 90 Seconds | TIME

Summary

The Statue of Liberty, an iconic symbol of freedom and immigration, was conceived by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and writer Édouard de Laboulaye as a gift from France to the US post-Civil War. Fundraising began for the statue, officially named 'Liberty Enlightening the World,' with the aim to unveil it at the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia. Although only partially completed by then, the statue was fully finished and displayed in Paris by 1884. Americans raised funds for a pedestal, and upon completion, Lady Liberty was dedicated on October 28, 1886, by President Grover Cleveland. She became a beacon for millions of immigrants arriving at Ellis Island. During the World Wars, she symbolized hope for peace and the drive for victory. After periods of neglect and damage from acid rain in the 1960s, a restoration project was completed in 1986, celebrated with a record-breaking fireworks display. Public access was temporarily halted after the 9/11 attacks and Hurricane Sandy in 2012, but the statue reopened in 2013. Today, it attracts approximately 4 million visitors annually.

Takeaways

• 🗽 The idea for the Statue of Liberty was conceived by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi during a trip to New York in 1871.
• 💡 The concept of the statue had been in development since the end of the Civil War, with the intention of gifting a liberty-themed present from France to the US.
• 💼 Bartholdi and Edouard de Laboulaye raised funds for the statue, officially named 'Liberty Enlightening the World'.
• 📅 They initially aimed to present the statue at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia in 1876, but only a part of it was completed by then.
• 🏙️ The statue was fully finished and displayed in Paris in 1884 while Americans raised money for its pedestal.
• 🚢 Once the pedestal was funded, the Statue of Liberty was shipped to New York.
• 🎉 It was officially dedicated on October 28, 1886, by President Grover Cleveland.
• ⚓️ With the opening of Ellis Island, the statue became a symbol of immigration for millions around the world.
• 🕊️ During World Wars I and II, the statue represented hope for peace and the drive for victory.
• 🔨 The statue suffered from neglect and decay in the 1960s, with damage from acid rain, leading to a restoration project for its centennial in 1986.
• 🎆 The 1986 centennial celebration included the largest display of fireworks in American history at that time.
• 🚫 Public access to the statue was temporarily halted following the 9/11 attacks and Hurricane Sandy in 2012, but it reopened in 2013.
• 📈 Today, approximately 4 million people visit the Statue of Liberty each year.

Q & A

Who is credited with the original idea for the Statue of Liberty?

The original idea for the Statue of Liberty is credited to the French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi.

When was the idea for the Statue of Liberty conceived?

The idea for the Statue of Liberty was conceived during the end of the American Civil War, with the notion of France giving the US a liberty-themed present.

Who was the writer that first proposed the idea of a liberty-themed present for the US?

The writer who first proposed the idea of a liberty-themed present for the US was Édouard de Laboulaye.

What was the official name of the Statue of Liberty?

The official name of the Statue of Liberty is 'Liberty Enlightening the World'.

In what year was the Statue of Liberty intended to be presented at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia?

The Statue of Liberty was intended to be presented at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia in 1876.

When was the Statue of Liberty finally completed?

The Statue of Liberty was completed in 1884.

What was the reason for the statue being displayed in Paris before being moved to the US?

The statue was displayed in Paris while Americans raised money for its pedestal in New York.

Who officially dedicated the Statue of Liberty?

President Grover Cleveland officially dedicated the Statue of Liberty.

On what date was the Statue of Liberty officially dedicated?

The Statue of Liberty was officially dedicated on October 28, 1886.

What significant event coincided with the opening of the Statue of Liberty?

The opening of the Statue of Liberty coincided with the opening of Ellis Island, making Lady Liberty a symbol of immigration.

During which historical periods did the Statue of Liberty come to represent both hope for peace and the drive for victory?

The Statue of Liberty represented both the hope for peace and the drive for victory during World Wars 1 and 2.

What major restoration event occurred for the Statue of Liberty's Centennial in 1986?

A major restoration was undertaken for the Statue of Liberty's Centennial in 1986, which was celebrated with the largest display of fireworks in American history at the time.

Who were the first people to enter the renovated Statue of Liberty after its reopening?

The first people to enter the renovated Statue of Liberty after its reopening were First Lady Nancy Reagan and 100 French and American children.

Why was public access to the Statue of Liberty cut off following the 9/11 attacks and Hurricane Sandy in 2012?

Public access was cut off following the 9/11 attacks and Hurricane Sandy in 2012 due to safety and security concerns.

How many people visit the Statue of Liberty each year today?

Approximately 4 million people visit the Statue of Liberty each year today.