42 Captivating Statue Of Liberty Facts For Kids

The Statue of Liberty stands as a permanent feature of the New York skyline and represents an iconic piece of American history. Through our list of intriguing facts, you’ll immerse your learners in an array of information that they may not have known yet about Lady Liberty – from how she came to be to the important ideals that she represents to this day.

1. A Gift from France

The Statue of Liberty was a gift from the people of France to the United States as a symbol of friendship and freedom. It was dedicated on October 28, 1886.

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2. Designed by Gustave Eiffel

The statue’s iron framework was designed by Gustave Eiffel, who also designed the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

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3. Lady Liberty

The statue is often referred to as “Lady Liberty” and stands as a symbol of freedom and democracy.

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4. A Universal Symbol

The Statue of Liberty is recognized worldwide as a universal symbol of freedom and democracy.

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5. Height

The statue stands 151 feet and 1 inch tall from the base to the tip of the torch.

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6. Torch of Enlightenment

Lady Liberty holds a torch in her right hand, symbolizing enlightenment and lighting the way to freedom.

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7. Crown of Rays

Her crown features seven rays, representing the seven continents and the seven seas.

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8. Copper Construction

The statue is made of copper sheets, which have turned green over time due to oxidation.

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9. Pedestal Foundation

The pedestal is made of granite and was designed by architect Richard Morris Hunt.

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10. Tablet Inscription

In her left hand, Lady Liberty holds a tablet inscribed with the date of the American Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776.

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11. Broken Chains

At the statue’s feet, broken chains symbolize the end of slavery and oppression.

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12. Cultural Impact

The Statue of Liberty remains a powerful symbol of freedom, democracy, and the enduring ideals of the United States.

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13. Arrival at Bedloe’s Island

The statue arrived in 1885 in 350 pieces and was reassembled on what was then called Bedloe’s Island, now Liberty Island.

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14. Reopening in 2009

The crown of the Statue of Liberty was closed to the public after the September 11 attacks but reopened on July 4, 2009.

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15. Flame Relocation

The original torch was replaced in 1986, and the original torch is now on display inside the pedestal.

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16. Magnetic Observation

The statue’s torch was used as a lighthouse from 1916 to 1924, emitting a powerful light visible up to 24 miles away.

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17. Weight

The Statue of Liberty weighs approximately 450,000 pounds or 225 tons.

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18. Liberty Island Renaming

In 1956, Bedloe’s Island was renamed Liberty Island in honor of the statue.

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19. Immigrant Welcome

The statue was often the first sight immigrants saw as they arrived in the United States through Ellis Island.

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20. Nighttime Illumination

The statue is illuminated at night, creating a striking silhouette against the New York City skyline.

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21. Official Name

The official name of the statue is “Liberty Enlightening the World.”

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22. Copper Thickness

The copper sheets of the statue are only 3/32 of an inch thick, about the thickness of two pennies.

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23. Gift of Abolitionists

The idea for the statue was conceived by French abolitionists as a symbol of freedom and the end of slavery.

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24. Financial Contributions

Both the French and American people contributed funds to build the statue’s pedestal.

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25. Famous Sculptor

The statue’s face was said to be modeled after the sculptor Auguste Bartholdi’s mother.

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26. 1980 Restoration

The statue underwent a major restoration in the 1980s, which included replacing the torch.

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27. National Monument

The Statue of Liberty was designated as a National Monument in 1924.

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28. Postcards and Stamps

The statue has appeared on countless postcards and stamps, making it one of the most recognized symbols in the world.

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29. Frequent Film Star

The Statue of Liberty has been featured in numerous movies, TV shows, and commercials.

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30. Copper Minting

Copper pieces from the original French workshop where the statue was constructed were used to mint U.S. pennies in 1884.

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31. French Connection

The statue was completed in France in 1884 before being disassembled and shipped to the United States.

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32. Private Donations

Many private citizens and schoolchildren donated money towards the pedestal’s construction through fundraising campaigns.

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33. Centennial Celebration

The statue’s centennial celebration in 1986 included a spectacular fireworks display and numerous festivities.

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34. Signature Pose

Lady Liberty’s pose with the torch held high has become an iconic symbol of freedom.

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35. UNESCO World Heritage Site

The Statue of Liberty is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is protected as a cultural treasure.

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36. Original Concept

The original concept for the statue was to be placed at the entrance to the Suez Canal in Egypt, but it was eventually gifted to the United States.

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37. Immigrant Poem

The famous poem “The New Colossus” by Emma Lazarus is inscribed on a plaque inside the pedestal.

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38. Firearm Regulations

The crown was closed to visitors after the 1916 Black Tom explosion, which damaged the statue’s arm and torch. It reopened in 1919, but firearms were prohibited.

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39. Access to the Torch