Statue of Liberty Facts You May Not Know

Epic Statue of Liberty Facts you have to read to believe!

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Statue of Liberty Facts

Some places in this world are so grand that they inspire us. They evoke questions and curiosity as we marvel in their presence.

One of those such places is the Statue of Liberty located in New York.

What facts about the Statue of Liberty would you want to know?

Here are some Statue of Liberty facts that is great fun for everyone including adults, students, and even kids!

What is the Statue of Liberty's official name?

Liberty Enlightening the World

French: La Liberté éclairant le monde

How tall is the Statue of Liberty?

The Statue of Liberty height is 305 feet and 1 inch tall making it the tallest statue in the United States!

Does the Statue of Liberty get struck by lightning?

Yes, it does! in fact, it gets struck several times each year as copper is a great conductor of electricity. Fortunately, it has a massive concrete base that was set on granite that grounds the Statue of Liberty.

What is the Statue of Liberty Made of?

The Statue of Liberty is made of 3/32 of an inch copper sheeting with an iron infrastructure. the copper sheeting is about the thickness of two pennies placed together.

Why is the Statue of Liberty Green?

Copper skin that is exposed to the elements undergoes a series of chemical reactions (oxidation) that give it a pale green outer layer called Patina.

Is the Statue of Liberty a man or a woman?

The Statue of Liberty's face is thought to be modeled after the sculptor's mother.

Who designed the Statue of Liberty?

The Statue of Liberty was designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and built by Gustave Eiffel. You may recognize Gustave Eiffel from another amazing monument the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France.

When was the Statue of Liberty built?

Bartholdi completed construction of the hand holding the torch in 1876. This piece was sent to the U.S. and was put on display at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia on May 18.

It was then sent to New York City where it was displayed in Madison Square until 1882.

The Statue of Liberty was shipped to the U.S. aboard the French Navy Ship Isère and arrived in New York Harbor on 6/17/1885 where it was meet with tremendous fanfare and a Naval Parade.

On 10/23/1886 the Statue of Liberty was completed! There was a canvas covering the statue's face and was unveiled at the dedication ceremony on 10/28/1886.

What is written on the Statue of Liberty Tablet?

Inscribed on the tablet is "JULY IV MDCCLXXVI" (July 4, 1776), the date of the US Declaration of Independence.

Does the Statue of Liberty have chains and a broken shackle?

Yes, the chains and a broken shackle are at the statue's feet and cannot be seen from below. They symbolize a woman free from oppression and servitude

When did the Statue of Liberty become a National Monument?

President Calvin Coolidge designated the Statue of Liberty a National Monument in 1924 by authority of the Antiquities Act.

What is the significance of the crown?

The crown has seven rays. These seven rays of the crown representing her shedding light on the seven seas and the seven continents.

There are other symbols of significance like her classical face and drapery suggest a Roman Goddess of Liberty, the broken shackles represent freedom newly achieved and the tablet Lady Liberty holds identifies the figure as an Apostle of American Freedom, Law & Justice.

Which way does the Statue of Liberty face?

The Statue of Liberty faces Southeast. The Statue's position greets ships entering the harbor and is seen as a welcoming symbol.

The Statue of Liberty was strategically placed inside of Fort Wood which created the perfect base for the statue.

What does the Torch Represent?

The torch is considered a symbol of enlightenment. It lights the way to freedom showing a path to liberty.

When was the Statue of Liberty's torch replaced?

The torch was replaced in 1986 and the original is now on display in the museum on the pedestal. The new torch is copper and covered with a 24k gold leaf. The sun rays reflects off of the gold during the day and floodlights light the torch by reflection at night.

The Statue of Liberty Museum houses the original torch in the Inspiration Gallery.

What is on display on the Statue's Pedestal?

"The New Colossus", a poem written by Emma Lazarus in 1883, is on display on the Statue's pedestal.

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!"

More Statue of Liberty facts:

There are 62,000 pounds (31 tons) of Copper in the Statue of Liberty
Liberty Island and The Statue of Liberty is open 364 days a year and is only closed on Christmas Day
The statue can sway up to three inches with a 50mph wind while the torch can sway up to six inches!
The crown has 7 rays and 25 windows.
The total weight of the Statue of Liberty is 450,000 pounds (225 tons)
The Statue of Liberty's official dedication ceremony was on 10/28/1886 where President Grover Cleveland accepted the statue on behalf of the United States
The Statue of Liberty's right arm is 42 feet long and 12 feet wide
The Statue of Liberty also has a 35-foot waist
Many people depart from Castle Clinton National Monument also referred to as Battery Park.
You can visit 3 National Park Sites in one day! (Castle Clinton National Monument, Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island National Monument)
The Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World was a gift to the United States from the people of France.

Statue of Liberty Tours

Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Tour: All options
⭐️ Rating: 4.8 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 3-5 hours | 🛥️ Check Rates and Availability

Visit Lady Liberty and learn the stories of those who passed through Ellis Island on this convient tour with options that let you choose how long you want to spend at each attraction. Opt to visit Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration.

Circle Line: New York City Statue of Liberty Super Express Cruise
⭐️ Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 50 minutes | 🛥️ Check Rates and Availability

This tour is perfect for travelers with limited time. Here you can soak up the sea breeze and views as you are whisked past Lady Liberty. You can marvel at the statue from the water, learn about the landmark from your guide's live narration and snap a few photos with unobstructed views.

Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Guided Tour with Ferry
⭐️ Rating: 4.7 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 2-4 hours | 🛥️ Check Rates and Availability

Meet your guide in Battery Park on this hassle free tour and receive priority access to the Statue of Liberty Ferry. You will sail across the New York Harbor to Liberty Island, where you will learn and explore the Statue of Liberty Museum. Next hop on a ferry to Ellis Island to discover the stories of the millions of immigrants who journeyed through this historic site.

Click here for additional New York tours!

Where to stay when visiting New York City

There are no National Park Lodges within the park.

1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge - 5-star luxury hotel in the heart of Brooklyn Heights, a neighborhood in Brooklyn. All 194 individually decorated rooms offer comforts such as premium bedding and air conditioning,

Holiday Inn Express New York City - Wall Street - Hotel located near One World Trade Center with rooms rejuvenated in 2017. located close to Battery Park and National September 11 Memorial, and provides free to-go breakfast, a grocery/convenience store, and dry cleaning/laundry services. Stay connected with free in-room Wi-Fi, and guests can find other amenities such as a gym and a business center.

Hilton Garden Inn NYC Financial Center/Manhattan Downtown - 3-star hotel revitalized in 2017 and located near One World Trade Center. Free in-room Wi-Fi is available to all guests, along with a 24-hour business center and a restaurant.

Moxy NYC Downtown - 4-star hotel near One World Trade Center. All guestrooms at Moxy NYC Downtown boast perks such as laptop-compatible safes and air conditioning, in addition to amenities like Wi-Fi and sound-insulated walls.

Fairfield Inn & Suites New York Manhattan/Downtown East - Located close to Brooklyn Bridge, Fairfield Inn & Suites New York Manhattan/Downtown East provides a free breakfast buffet, a grocery/convenience store, and dry cleaning/laundry services. In addition to a gym and a business center, guests can connect to free in-room Wi-Fi.

Click on the map below to find current rates for hotels and vacation rentals in New York City.

Want to learn more about the Statue of Liberty?

The Story of the Statue of Liberty (Rise and Shine) (American Story) by Betsy Maestro

America's Welcome: The History of the Statue of Liberty for Kids by Brian Thomas

DVD: Statue of Liberty by PBS Home Video

Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.

$80.00 - For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.

2024 America The Beautiful National Park Pass

Buy your pass at this link, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.

National Park Free Entrance Days -Mark your calendars with the five free entrance days the National Park Service offers annually.

Did you know that the National Parks of New York Harbor consist of 11 parks surrounding the Harbor? How many can you list?

Statue of Liberty National Monument

Castle Clinton National Monument

Ellis Island National Monument

Gateway National Recreation Area

Stonewall National Monument

African Burial Ground National Monument

Federal Hall National Monument

Governors Island National Monument

Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site

Saint Paul's Church National Historic Site