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.