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The Statue of Liberty: Symbol of Freedom

Apr 20, 2025

Sentinel: The Statue of Liberty

Historical Context and Significance

  • Dedicated in late October 1886 as a gift from France to the United States.
  • Named "Liberty Enlightening the World" and symbolizes the tension between national independence and universal human rights.
  • Designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi.

Inauguration Day

  • Weather was foul with heavy rain, leading to a subdued celebration.
  • General Charles Pomeroy Stone led the parade despite the weather challenges.
  • The parade included a diverse range of participants, from military bands to recent immigrants.

Ceremonial and Social Aspects

  • The parade route was packed with spectators from all classes, highlighting social disparities.
  • The Statue's inauguration was a transgressive public event, opening avenues of social boundaries.
  • Joseph Pulitzer organized a fundraising campaign for the statue's pedestal, attracting wide public support.

The 1880s America

  • A period marked by social upheaval and the palpable threat of social revolution.
  • Discrimination against various groups was rampant, including racial, gender, and ethnic biases.
  • The Statue of Liberty stood as a symbol against oppression and for immigrant rights.

Symbolism and Interpretation

  • The statue's design avoids traditional American symbols like the flag but holds the Declaration of Independence.
  • Seen as an icon for various movements, including the suffragist movement and immigrant rights.
  • Reflected broader struggles against oppression and for human rights domestically and globally.

Key Figures and Speeches

  • Count Ferdinand de Lesseps, involved with the Panama Canal, made a speech linking French and American ties.
  • Senator William Maxwell Evarts spoke on political affinities between the two nations.
  • President Grover Cleveland characterized the statue as a sentinel-goddess, emphasizing national identity and border protection.

Social Commentary and Criticism

  • Suffragists protested the hypocrisy of a female symbol of liberty in a nation where women lacked political rights.
  • The Chinese Exclusion Act and other discrimination laws highlighted contradictions in American liberty.
  • Henry James and others noted the "margin" of potential in American society not yet realized.

Post-Ceremony Observations

  • A private banquet at Delmonico's, featuring notable individuals, concluded the celebrations.
  • The Statue of Liberty continues as a potent icon for change and revolution globally, embodying hopes for a more just society.