The Statue of Liberty for Kids: Famous World Landmarks for Children - FreeSchool

Summary

The Statue of Liberty, a gift from France symbolizing international friendship, was dedicated on October 28, 1886. Designed by Auguste Bartholdi and funded by both nations, it stands as a beacon of freedom for immigrants and represents Libertas, the Roman goddess of liberty. Holding a tablet with the Declaration of Independence's date and a torch, the statue's oxidized copper gives it its iconic green hue. At 305 feet with the pedestal, it attracts 4 million visitors annually and features Emma Lazarus's famous poem, making it a World Heritage Site.

Takeaways

• 🗽 The Statue of Liberty, officially called 'Liberty Enlightening the World,' is a gift from France to the United States symbolizing international friendship.
• 🎁 The idea for the statue was first proposed by Frenchman Edouard de Laboulaye in 1865 and was realized with the commissioning of sculptor Auguste Bartholdi in 1875.
• 💰 The American people were responsible for funding the pedestal, while the French funded the statue itself, facing challenges in raising sufficient funds.
• 📦 The statue was shipped to the U.S. in 350 individual pieces packed in 214 crates, arriving in 1884.
• 🏗️ It took an additional two years to complete the pedestal, and the statue was reassembled and dedicated by President Grover Cleveland on October 28, 1886.
• 🎉 The dedication was a grand event marked by bands, parades, speeches, and fireworks, highlighting the statue's significance.
• 🌐 The statue has been a beacon for immigrants and a symbol of freedom and the ideals America was founded upon.
• 👑 The statue depicts Libertas, the Roman goddess of liberty, wearing a crown with seven points representing the seven seas or continents.
• 🗓️ She holds a tablet inscribed with 'July 4, 1776' in Roman numerals, commemorating the Declaration of Independence.
• 🔥 In her other hand, she raises a torch of gold leaf, a universal symbol of enlightenment and freedom.
• 🟢 The statue's copper exterior has oxidized over time, changing its color from a bright copper to the green we recognize today.
• 📐 Standing 151 feet or 46 meters high without the pedestal, and as tall as a 22-story building with it, the statue weighs 450,000 lbs or 225 tons.
• 📜 Inside, visitors can see a poem by Emma Lazarus that helped raise funds for the pedestal, which includes the famous lines inviting 'your tired, your poor' to America.
• 🎉 Nearly 130 years old, the Statue of Liberty is a World Heritage Site, recognized globally for its importance and preserved for future generations.

Q & A

What is the official name of the Statue of Liberty?

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

Who gifted the Statue of Liberty to America and when was it given?

The Statue of Liberty was a gift to America from the French in 1886.

When was the idea of the Statue of Liberty first proposed and by whom?

The idea of the Statue of Liberty was first proposed in 1865 by Frenchman Edouard de Laboulaye.

Who was commissioned to design the Statue of Liberty and when?

Sculptor Auguste Bartholdi was commissioned to design the statue ten years after it was first proposed.

How were the costs of the Statue of Liberty and its pedestal divided between the American and French people?

The American people agreed to pay for the pedestal, while the French people funded the Statue of Liberty itself.

When was the Statue of Liberty completed in France and how long did it take to reassemble in the United States?

The statue was completed in France in 1884 and it took four months to reassemble in the United States after the pedestal was completed in 1886.

How was the Statue of Liberty transported to the United States?

The statue was transported in 350 individual pieces packed in 214 separate crates.

Who dedicated the Statue of Liberty and on what date?

President Grover Cleveland dedicated the Statue of Liberty on October 28, 1886.

What does the Statue of Liberty represent and what does the statue depict?

The Statue of Liberty represents Libertas, the Roman goddess of liberty, and it depicts a woman in a robe with a crown on her head and holding a stone tablet and a flaming torch.

What does the date on the stone tablet in the statue's hand signify?

The date July 4, 1776 in Roman numerals on the stone tablet signifies the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Why did the Statue of Liberty change color over time?

The Statue of Liberty changed color due to the oxidation of its copper surface after being exposed to the elements for less than 20 years.

What is the height of the Statue of Liberty including the pedestal and what does it symbolize?

With the pedestal, the Statue of Liberty stands as tall as a 22-story building, symbolizing hope, welcome, and the friendship between France and the United States.

Why is the Statue of Liberty considered a World Heritage Site?

The Statue of Liberty is considered a World Heritage Site because it is deemed special and important, deserving protection and preservation for people worldwide to enjoy.