A Symbol Of Hope And Freedom

The Statue of Liberty: An American Icon

**

A Symbol of Hope and Freedom

** * The Statue of Liberty is a colossal neoclassical sculpture representing a female figure wearing a flowing robe and holding a torch in her right hand and a tablet in her left. * The copper statue, a gift from the people of France, was dedicated on October 28, 1886, and designated a National Monument in 1924. * Standing 305 feet (93 meters) tall on Liberty Island in Upper New York Bay, the Statue of Liberty is an enduring symbol of hope and freedom for immigrants and visitors alike. **

From Romantic Idea to Monumental Gift

** * The Statue of Liberty originated as a romantic idea conceived by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi. * Bartholdi envisioned the statue as a symbol of the friendship between France and the United States and as a representation of the ideals of liberty and democracy. * The statue was constructed in France and transported to New York City in 350 pieces, where it was assembled on a pedestal designed by American architect Richard Morris Hunt. **

Liberty Island: A Park, Museum, and Symbol

** * Liberty Island, where the Statue of Liberty stands, is a 12-acre island that offers breathtaking views of the New York City skyline. * The island features a park, where visitors can relax and enjoy the scenery, and an innovative museum, which tells the story of the statue and its significance. * Liberty Island is a popular destination for tourists from around the world, who come to witness the iconic symbol of American promise and possibility.