Statue of Liberty Facts for Kids

Introduction

• Famous U.S. monument, gift from France.
• Nickname: Lady Liberty.

Official Name & Purpose

• Official name: Liberty Enlightening the World.
• Designed to honor the end of enslavement in the U.S.

Designer & Construction

• Designed by French sculptor Frédéric Bartholdi.
  • Also helped raise funds for its construction.
  • Chose New York Harbor for its location.
• Construction cost: $500,000 (equivalent to about $14 million today).
• Original idea came from Edouard Delaboulet, a French anti-enslavement activist.
• Inside structure built by Gustave Eiffel (same person who built the Eiffel Tower).
• Built in pieces over nine years, taken apart, shipped, and reconstructed.
• Reconstruction completed on October 28, 1886.

Size and Weight

• Weighs about 225 tons.
• Total height (including pedestal): 305 feet (equivalent to a 30-story building).
• Head: 17 feet tall.
• Nose: 4.5 feet long.
• Right arm: 42 feet long.
• Index finger: 8 feet long.

Material and Appearance

• Exterior made of copper, originally brownish color.
• Current green color due to oxidation from exposure to air and water.
• Copper layer thickness: about the same as two pennies.

Symbolism

• Modeled after Roman goddess Libertas (symbol of liberty and freedom).
• Broken chains at feet symbolize the end of tyranny.
• Torch symbolizes the value of liberty and its light spreading across the world.
• Crown spikes: 7 representing the seven seas and seven continents.
• Tablet in left hand symbolizes law, inscribed with Roman numerals for July 4, 1776 (U.S. founding date).

Review Questions

1. True or False: The Statue of Liberty was built all at one time in one big piece.
   • Answer: False.
2. Fill in the blank: One of the nicknames for the Statue of Liberty is Lady ___ Liberty.
   • Answer: Lady Liberty.
3. What date is inscribed on the tablet in the statue's arms?
   • Answer: July 4, 1776.__

Conclusion

• The Statue of Liberty is a world-famous symbol of liberty and peace.
• Over 4 million tourists visit it each year.
• A significant monument, sharing knowledge about it is important.