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Statue of Liberty

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New York Attractions

Statue of Liberty

Next to the flag, it’s America’s most famous symbol for freedom - an icon for the immigrant, Liberty Enlightening the World as it is officially titled is familiarly the Statue of Liberty. The statue was a gift from the French government for the 100th birthday of America’s Independence. The statue was built in France and brought across the Atlantic Ocean in pieces in 1886 to mark the alliance between the two countries during America’s revolution against England. Written on the tablet in her left hand is the date the United States formally declared independence.

The Statue of Liberty is 155-feet-tall and stands on a 150-foot base on Liberty Island (called Bedloe’s Island until 1956) in New York Harbor, and can only be accessed by ferry. If you’re passing through and only have time to visit the Statue, and not take in the sights of New York City, the best way to get there is from Liberty State Park in New Jersey, which is a quick hop off of the New Jersey Turnpike (Interstate 95). There is plenty of parking, but some people stop at the first pay parking lots they come to, not realizing that closer to the statue the parking is free. The statue’s torch was displayed in Madison Square park for six years in an attempt to spark interest and attract funds. But it was only after publisher Joseph Pulitzer published the names of those who donated money for the project that the funds started flowing in. Eventually, the statue was erected 10 years late, in 1886. It used to be possible to take the staircase inside the statue and walk all the way up the 354 steps to the head from where you have a nice view on New York City, but for security reasons it was not allowed anymore for some time after sept 11.

Physical Details:
Winds of 50 miles per hour cause the Statue to sway 3 inches (7.62 cm) and the torch to sway 5 inches (12.7 cm).

There are 25 windows in the crown which comprise the jewels beneath the seven rays of the diadem. The tablet which the Statue holds in her left hand reads, in Roman numerals, “July 4, 1776″ the day of America’s independence from Britain.

Height from base to torch 151′ 1″ (46.50m)
Foundation of pedestal to torch 305′ 1″ (92.99m)
Heel to top of head 111′ 1″ (33.86m)
Length of hand 16′ 5″ ( 5.00m)
index finger 8′ 0″ (2.44m)
Circumference at second joint 3′ 6″ (1.07m)
Size of fingernail 13″x10″ (13x25.4m)
Head from chin to cranium 17′ 3″ (5.26m)
Head thickness from ear to ear 10′ 0″ (3.05m)
Distance across the eye 2′ 6″ (.76m)
Length of nose 4′ 6″ (l.48m)
Right arm length 42′ 0″ (12.80m)
Right arm greatest thickness 12′ 0″ (3.66m)
Thickness of waist 35′ 0″ (10.67m)
Width of mouth 3′ 0″ ( .91m)
Tablet, length 23′ 7″ (7.19m)
Tablet, width 13′ 7″ (4.14m)
Tablet, thickness 2′ 0″ (.61m)
Height of granite pedestal 89′ 0″ (27.13m)
Height of foundation 65′ 0″ (19.81m)

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