SCOALA SUPERIOARA COMERCIALA NICOLAE KRETZULESCU

The Statue of Liberty

YEAR 2007

Table of contents

Introduction  .................... 848t1924i .................... 848t1924i .................... 848t1924i .................... 848t1924i .............. 1

Basic information  .................... 848t1924i .................... 848t1924i .................... 848t1924i .................... 848t1924i .... 3

Brief description .................... 848t1924i .................... 848t1924i .................... 848t1924i .................... 848t1924i ...... 4

The Statue of Liberty Poem .................... 848t1924i .................... 848t1924i .................... 848t1924i ........ 7

Museum exhibits  .................... 848t1924i .................... 848t1924i .................... 848t1924i .................... 848t1924i ....... 9

Statue of Liberty, Facts .................... 848t1924i .................... 848t1924i .................... 848t1924i .............. 10

The Statue of Liberty, A Lady of Hope and Grace .................... 848t1924i ........... 13

Elllis Island .......... ..... ...... .. 15

Conclusions  .................... 848t1924i .................... 848t1924i .................... 848t1924i .................... 848t1924i ............... 17

References  .................... 848t1924i .................... 848t1924i .................... 848t1924i .................... 848t1924i ............... 18

Annexe .................... 848t1924i .................... 848t1924i .................... 848t1924i .................... 848t1924i .................... 848t1924i .. 19

Introduction

Historical buildings are generally viewed as symbols of one's nation spirituality and remain of " eternity". They represent the link between past, present and future.

Lady Liberty is such a monument. Initially it was a gift to the United States from the people of France, conceived and designed as a monument to a great international friendship.But its significance has broadened and for many people throughout the world it has become the recognized symbol of liberty.

I consider that the information provided in this piece of work is useful to anyone who plans to visit United States of America (Lady Liberty is one sight you wouldn't want to miss) or to anybody who wants a thoroughgoing study of this international monument.

I have tried to bring forth-interesting facts about its history and functions. Therefor the information was carefully selected. It is clear and up to date.

The Statue of liberty represents the free soul af every american, as it was meant to commemorate the centennial of the American Declaration of Independence.

If you are interested in the subject and if you want to find out more you should take a look to the folllowing pages.

"The Statue of Liberty is not that monument's name. It is liberty Enlightening the World."

Deane Jordan

What does Jordan's quote try to say? Does it only try to inform us about the original name of this great monument, or does it send us a message about what it really simbolizes?

In my oppinion, the name of "statue" gives the impression of something rigid, stathic or maybe mute, under certain circumstance; therefore "Liberty Enlightening the World" should give a more symbolic connotation.

What I am actually trying to say is that this monument's grace and value travels far over the borders of USA, representing a symbol of the entire world's freedom.

The reason for which I chose to present this theme is that today's world confronts with serious issues regarding moral values of democracy and liberty. The USA, for example, which is regarded as being the world's biggest democratic power and uses the "Statue of Liberty" as a national symbol has started to give birth to various debates and conflicts all around the world in the last few years.

To sum up, I would like to present the following in order to really decide whether the American symbol of Liberty has now the same values as it had at the begging or it has only turned out to be a false symbol of what USA really represents in today's society.

The Statue of Liberty "Liberty Enlightening the World"

The answers to the following questions represent the most important information concerning the Statue of Liberty. They provide for the basic knowledge about Lady Liberty! You can find out all these, and even more, by simply reading this short piece of work.

Brief description

Located in New York, at 151 feet (46 meters) tall (305 feet including base and pedestal), the Statue of Liberty symbolizes freedom throughout the world. Its formal name is Liberty Enlightening the World. The Statue was actually a gift from the people of France. It was dedicated on October 28, 1886, and President Grover Cleveland accepted the statue on behalf of the American people.

The statue, made of copper sheets with an iron framework, depicts a woman escaping the chains of tyranny, which lie at her feet. Her right hand holds aloft a burning torch that represents liberty. Her left hand holds a tablet inscribed with the date "July 4, 1776" (in Roman numerals), the day the United States declared its independence from England. She is wearing flowing robes and the seven rays of her spiked crown symbolize the seven seas and continents.

The base of the statue contains a passage written by Emma Lazarus: "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door."

Located in New York Harbor, the 152-foot Statue of Liberty was a gift of international friendship from the people of France to the people of the United States. An inspiration to millions of immigrants, this statue is a universal symbol of freedom, democracy, and diplomacy.

The relationship between the United States and France began during America's quest for independence from Great Britain in 1776. Benjamin Franklin was among those who served on the diplomatic front during the Revolutionary War. By living in Paris as the American ambassador, Benjamin cultivated a relationship with the French government and the French people. As a result, French soldiers fought alongside the American colonists. Paris was the site for peace negotiations between the United States and Great Britain at the end of the war.

In 1865, Edouard de Laboulaye of France developed the idea of creating a giant statue to honor the friendship and the commitment to liberty between France and the United States, and in 1871, Bartholdi was commissioned to sculpt the goddess Liberty.

Sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi was commissioned to design a sculpture with the year 1876 in mind for completion, to commemorate the centennial of the American Declaration of Independence. The Statue was a joint effort between America and France and it was agreed upon that the American people were to build the pedestal, and the French people were responsible for the Statue and its assembly here in the United States. However, lack of funds was a problem on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. In France, public fees, various forms of entertainment, and a lottery were among the methods used to raise funds. In the United States, benefit theatrical events, art exhibitions, auctions and prize fights assisted in providing needed funds. Meanwhile in France, Bartholdi required the assistance of an engineer to address structural issues associated with designing such as colossal copper sculpture. Alexandre Gustave Eiffel (designer of the Eiffel Tower) was commissioned to design the massive iron pylon and secondary skeletal framework which allows the Statue's copper skin to move independently yet stand up right. Back in America, fund raising for the pedestal was

going particularly slowly, so Joseph Pulitzer (noted for the Pulitzer Prize) opened up the editorial pages of his newspaper, "The World" to support the fund raising effort. Pulitzer used his newspaper to criticize both the rich who had failed to finance the pedestal construction and the middle class who were content to rely upon the wealthy to provide the funds. Pulitzer's campaign of harsh criticism was successful in motivating the people of America to donate.

Financing for the pedestal was completed in August 1885, and pedestal construction was finished in April of 1886. The Statue was completed in France in July, 1884 and arrived in New York Harbor in June of 1885 on board the French frigate "Isere" which transported the Statue of Liberty from France to the United States. In transit, the Statue was reduced to 350 individual pieces and packed in 214 crates. The Statue was re-assembled on her new pedestal in four months time. On October 28th 1886, the dedication of the Statue of Liberty took place in front of thousands of spectators. She was a centennial gift ten years late.

The story of the Statue of Liberty and her island has been one of change. The Statue was placed upon a granite pedestal inside the courtyard of the star-shaped walls of Fort Wood (which had been completed for the War of 1812). The United States Lighthouse Board had responsibility for the operation of the Statue of Liberty until 1901. After 1901, the care and operation of the Statue was placed under the War Department.

A Presidential Proclamation declared Fort Wood (and the Statue of Liberty within it) a National Monument on October 15th, 1924 and the monument's boundary was set at the outer edge of Fort Wood. In 1933, the care and administration of the National Monument was transferred to the National Park Service. On September 7, 1937, jurisdiction was enlarged to encompass all of Bedloe's Island and in 1956, the island's name was changed to Liberty Island. On May 11, 1965,  Ellis Island was also transferred to the National Park Service and became part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument. In May of 1982, President Ronald Reagan appointed Lee Iacocca to head up a private sector effort to restore the Statue of Liberty. Fund raising began for the $87 million restoration under a public/private partnership between the National Park Service and the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, Inc., to date the most successful such partnership in American history. In 1984, at the start of the Statue's restoration, the United Nations designated the Statue of Liberty as a World Heritage Site. On July 5, 1986 the newly restored Statue re-opened to the public during Liberty Weekend, which celebrated her centennial.

The Statue of Liberty  Poem

Poem by Emma Lazarus written in 1883 to help fundraising for the Pedestal. (Bronze plaque with the poem was mounted in the base of the Statue in 1903) The New Colossus Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
with conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
a mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame,
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
with silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore,
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

Thanks to the words of poet Emma Lazarus (1849-1887), who wrote the ode to the "huddled masses yearning to breathe free", emblazoned on the statue's pedestal, the statue is widely associated with immigrants. But now Park Service researchers are investigating reports that Lady Liberty was originally intended to be a monument to emancipated black slaves.

Museum Exhibits

Statue of Liberty Exhibit: The Statue of Liberty is more than a monument. She is a beloved friend, a living symbol of freedom to millions around the world. This exhibit is her biography. It is a tribute to the people who created her, to those who built and paid for her, to the ideals she represents, and to the hopes she inspires.

The Statue of Liberty exhibit, located on the second floor in the pedestal of the Statue, traces the history and symbolism of the Statue of Liberty through museum objects, photographs, prints, videos and oral histories. The exhibit opened in July 1986. In addition to historical artifacts and descriptive text, full scale replicas of the Statue's face and foot are also on display. The main historical sections include: From Idea to Image, Fabricating the Statue, Stretching Technology, Fundraising in France, The Pedestal, Fundraising in America, and Complete at Last. The next area focuses on the symbolism of Liberty with sections titled Mother of Exiles, Becoming the Statue of America, Century of Souvenirs, The Image Exploited and The Statue in Popular Culture.(The interior of the monument is closed for security reasons, for the moment. )

The Torch Exhibit: The Torch Exhibit includes the original 1886 torch and much altered flame in the lobby. On the second floor balcony overlooking this torch is a display on the history of the torch and flame, explaining the various alterations through diagrams, photographs, drawings and cartoons.

STATUE OF LIBERTY FACTS

	Statue of Liberty
Architect	Frederic Bartholdi
Location	Liberty Island, New York, New York
Date	1871 to 1886
Building Type	monumental statue and observation tower
Construction System	iron frame, copper cladding
Climate	temperate
Context	island, urban waterfront
Style	neoclassical realistic sculpture
Notes Images	"Liberty Enlightening the World", by Frederic Auguste Bartholdi. An inspiring symbol of America, given as a gift from France in honor of the first centennial of the United States. Structural framework by Gustave Eiffel. Pedestal by Richard Morris Hunt.
	Photo, looking up Photo, distant overview in context .

7 Spikes in the Crown represent:

- Either Seven Seas:
Arctic, Antarctic, North & South Atlantic, North & South Pacific, Indian.
- Or Seven Continents:
 North and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Antarctica, Australia

The 25 windows in the crown represent: "natural minerals" of the earth

Toga represents: The Ancient Republic of Rome

Torch represents: Enlightenment

Chains underfoot represent: Liberty crushing the chains of slavery

Location of alternate entrance: Sole of Liberty's right foot

Bartholdi intentionally clothed Liberty as a classical Roman diety. She wears a palla, a cloak that is fastened on her left shoulder by a clasp. Underneath is a stola, which falls in many folds to her feet. (BM2000)

Visitors climb 354 steps to reach the crown or 192 steps in order to reach the top of the pedestal. The 25 windows in the crown also symbolize 25 gemstones found on the earth.

The Statue of Liberty, A Lady of Hope and Grace

The sculptor intended his work to be an immense and impressive symbol of human liberty. It was certainly that for millions of immigrants who came to America in the 19th century seeking freedom and fulfillment of their dreams. It has continued to inspire people across the world, as in 1989 when the Chinese students at Tianammen Square made a model of the Statue of Liberty to symbolize their revolution.

The famous sonnet written by Emma Lazarus in 1883, which is now affixed to the inner walls of the pedestal, has come to symbolize the statue's universal message of hope and freedom for immigrants coming to America and people seeking freedom around the world.

The Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor has greeted generations of newcomers to the shores of the United States. Now a National Monument of the United States of America, Lady Liberty is a world-famous symbol of freedom.

Elllis Island

Near the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor is Ellis Island. This island served as an immigrant station and a temporary shelter for people coming to the U.S. from other countries. Between 1892 and 1954, approximately 12 million people passed through Ellis Island seeking refuge, freedom and opportunity. The main building on Ellis Island is now a museum dedicated to the history of the Ellis Island Immigration Station. This landmark of freedom became a National Monument in 1924 and a major tourist attraction in the 20th Century.

Ellis Island is located in the upper bay just off the New Jersey coast, within the shadow of the Statue of Liberty. Through the years, this gateway to the new world was enlarged from its original 3.3 acres to 27.5 acres mostly by landfill obtained from ship ballast and possibly excess earth from the construction of the New York City subway system.

Before being designated as the site of one of the first Federal immigration station by President Benjamin Harrison in 1890, Ellis Island had a varied history. The local Indian tribes had called it "Kioshk" or Gull Island. Due to its rich and abundant oyster beds and plentiful and profitable shad runs, it was known as Oyster Island for many generations during the Dutch and English colonial periods. By the time Samuel Ellis became the island's last private owner in the 1770's, the island had been called Kioshk, Oyster, Dyre, Bucking and Anderson's Island. In this way, Ellis Island developed from a sandy island that barely rose above the high tide mark, into a hanging site for pirates, a harbor fort, ammunition and ordinance depot named Fort Gibson, and finally into an immigration station.

Conclusions

Taking into consideration the facts presented in this project, we can take a closer view over what The Statue of Liberty truly symbolizes and drag some conclusions about this:

Firstly, the monument was built as a symbol of USA's independence and it became the symbol of liberty throughout the World.

In addition to this, we can also remark that the statue represents the friendship between the French and the American people.

References: Facts from the following sources:

q       Barry Moreno "The Statue of Liberty Encyclopedia" , Simon & Schuster 2000

q       Bernard Weisberger "Statue of Liberty, The First Hundred Years" , 1985, Houghton Mifflin

q       F. Ross Holland "Idealists, Scoundrels, and Lady: An Insider's View of the Statue Of Liberty - Ellis Island Project" , Univ of Illinois, March 1993

q       Frank Spiering. "Bearer of a Million Dreams, Biography of the Statue of Liberty". Jameson Books 1986

q       Harper & Row "Liberty The French-American Statue in Art and History" New York Public Library, 1986,

q       Hayden, Despont "Restoring the Statue of Liberty", 1986, McGraw-Hill

q       Leslie Allen "Liberty, The Statue and the Americal Dream" , 1985, Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation and National Geographic Society; ISBN: 0870445847

q       Sue Burchard "The Statue of Liberty, Birth to Rebirth" , 1985, HBJ Publishers

q       Sue Burchard "The Statue of Liberty, Birth to Rebirth 1985, HBJ Publishers New York's Forts (NYF)

q       Willadene Price "Bartholdi and the Statue of Liberty" , 1959, Rand McNally(FS1096)