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!

Statue of Liberty Facts

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 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 10/28/2017.

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 represent 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 she 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.

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 sunlight reflects off of the gold during the day and floodlights light the torch by reflection at night.

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 on day! (Castle Clinton National Monument, Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island National Monument)

Did you know that the National Parks of New York Harbor consists 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
• Hamilton Grange National Memorial
• General Grant National Memorial

 

You can print a full list of National Parks to help check off and count how many you have visited. We also have a list of the 59 National Parks.