What do you know about the iconic Statue of Liberty? Here are 15 Interesting facts about the Statue of Liberty that I bet you didn’t know!
1. Lady Liberty measures 46 meters and weighs 204 metric tonnes
If you measure from the ground level to the top, which includes the base, the Statue of Liberty rises 93 meters above the sea.
The statue is facing South-East, which was meant to serve as a welcome message to immigrants coming into the harbor. And due to its massive size, the statue can be seen from a distance far away.
2. The torch is a symbol of enlightenment
In 1984 a replacement of the old torch was made by a new replica torch made from copper, covered in 24k gold. The old torch is stored in the statue’s pedestal.
No visitors have been allowed to the torch since the explosion by German attackers during the first World War in 1916.
3. There are 25 windows in the crown
The crown also has seven spikes, which represents the seven continents of the world as well as the seven oceans.
Another cool fact about the Statue of Liberty and the crown dates back to 1944 when the lights flashed “dot-dot-dot-dash”, which is morse code for V, which was a message of Victory in Europe during the Second World War.
4. It was often the first thing that immigrants saw
Approximately 9 million immigrants were met by the sight of Lady Liberty upon arrival to Ellis Island, which was the first stop and port of arrival for the immigrants coming to the United States.
Most immigrants came from Europe in search of a better life, and the statue of Liberty was and still is a symbol of freedom.
5. The statue has an iron infrastructure and copper exterior
If you’ve ever wondered why the Statue of Liberty is green, the answer is oxidized copper. The outer coating is known as Patina and protects it from further deterioration.
This is the same thing you might’ve seen in old European cities where some of the roofs were made in copper.
Photo: Tzido Sun/Shutterstock
6. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site
In 1984, the Statue of Liberty received the status as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Since 1924, it has also been listed as a U.S National Monument.
7. The Tablet has the inscription “JULY IV MDCCLXXVI”
This is the date of American independence which adds to the many symbols of the Statue of Liberty. JULY IV MDCCLXXVI is simply the roman numbers for 4 July 1776, which was the date when the British signed the U.S declaration of independence.
Photo: Eliyahu Yosef Parypa/Shutterstock
8. The cost of building it was about $500,000
By today’s value, the estimated cost would’ve been over $10 million. That’s a staggering sum, which makes it one of the most expensive statues in the world.
9. It has more than 4.5 million visitors per year
You probably already knew that it was a popular attraction in New York, but did you know that over 4.5 million people visit Liberty Island each year?
An even greater number of people sees the Statue of Liberty every day from the Staten Island ferry.
10. The statue of Liberty wears a size 879 shoe
No regular shoe store will have a fitting size for Lady Liberty if she needs a new pair of shoes because she wears a size 879 shoe.
This might just be one of the most peculiar facts about the Statue of Liberty.
Photo: danmiami/Shutterstock
5 x Statue of Liberty facts for kids
- The full name of the statue is Liberty Enlightening the World.
- It was a gift from France and the French people to America
- The statue was brought to the US from France in 350 parts
- The only way to get to Liberty Island is via the ferry
- At high winds, the statue comes alive with movements up to 3 inches for the body, and 5 inches for her torch.
Photo: Christopher Penler / Shutterstock.com
General Facts about the Statue of Liberty
If you’re looking for Statue of Liberty facts, it might also be interesting to know some general information.
- Full name: Liberty Enlightening the World
- Architects: Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, Richard Morris Hunt, and Gustave Eiffel
- Year of construction: 1886
- Location: Liberty Island, Manhattan, New York City
- Height of statue: 46 meters (151 feet 1 inch)
- Total height from ground level: 93 meters (including the base)
- Type of figure: Roman liberty goddess
How many of the Statue of Liberty facts did you know before reading this? Leave a comment below!