The "Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World" which was a gift from the people of France is having a birthday today. The most famous statue in the entire world for the symbolism it represents which was dedicated on October 28, 1886 and designated a National Monument in 1924 is 125 years old today. The statue's original dedication was attended by President Grover Cleveland, and followed by New York's first ever ticker tape parade.As this grand old lady stands in the harbor welcoming the world's huddled masses, the theme for her special day is 'Honor History, Envision the Future.' Today, we Honor the history of the statue, and tomorrow we envision the future as the doors to the interior of the statue will be closed for some major renovation and restoration work to the Statue of Liberty's 125 year old pedestal and 200 year old fort base from which she rises.
Some Historical Facts
- Official dedication ceremonies held on Thursday, October 28, 1886
- Total overall height from the base of the pedestal foundation to the tip of the torch is 305 feet, 6 inches
- Height of the Statue from her heel to the top of her head is 111 feet, 6 inches
- The face on the Statue of Liberty measures more than 8 feet tall
- There are 154 steps from the pedestal to the head of the Statue of Liberty
- A tablet held in her left hand measures 23' 7" tall and 13' 7" wide inscribed with the date JULY IV MDCCLXXVI (July 4, 1776)
- The Statue has a 35-foot waistline
- There are seven rays on her crown, one for each of the seven continents, each measuring up to 9 feet in length and weighing as much as 150 pounds
- Total weight of the Statue of Liberty is 225 tons (or 450,000 pounds)
- At the feet of the Statue lie broken shackles of oppression and tyranny
- During the restoration completed in 1986, the new torch was carefully covered with thin sheets of 24k gold
- The exterior copper covering of the Statue of Liberty is 3/32 of an inch thick (less than the thickness of two pennies) and the light green color (called a patina) is the result of natural weathering of the copper
