The Statue of Liberty has several lesser-known secrets. It was originally split into over 300 copper pieces upon its arrival in the US in 1885 and was reassembled. The iconic arm holding the torch was initially displayed in Madison Square Park to raise funds for the pedestal. The statue was also one of the first crowdfunding campaigns, with Joseph Pulitzer leading the effort.
Other interesting facts include that the statue's copper surface turned green due to oxidation in 1920, it was originally intended to serve as a lighthouse, and it has seven spikes on its crown symbolizing universal liberty. The construction of the statue's internal framework was designed by Gustav Eiffel, and the statue has been visited by many, including the narrator.
There are also theories about the statue's design, including that it was originally intended for the Suez Canal and may have Masonic ties. The face of the statue is widely believed to be modeled after the Roman goddess of freedom, Libertas, but some claim it was modeled after the sculptor's brother or ancestor.
Lastly, there are multiple versions of the Statue of Liberty, including a smaller original model in Paris and a life-size replica of the torch on the Ponte Lama in Paris, symbolizing Franco-American friendship.
Here are the key facts from the text:
1. The Statue of Liberty arrived in the US on June 17, 1885, in over 300 copper pieces.
2. The statue was transported in 214 crates on the ship "Friendship."
3. The statue's arm holding the torch was not attached to the statue when it arrived and was standing in Madison Square Park for six years to help raise money for the pedestal.
4. Two hundred thousand people came to welcome the statue to the US.
5. The official dedication ceremony took place on October 28, 1886, with President Grover Cleveland presiding.
6. The statue was one of the first crowdfunding campaigns in history, with over 120,000 donors contributing to the construction of the pedestal.
7. The statue was designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi.
8. The statue was a gift from the people of France to the people of the US.
9. The statue's pedestal was built on Old Fort Wood on Liberty Island.
10. The statue's internal framework was designed by Gustav Eiffel.
11. The statue can sway up to 3 inches in strong winds, and its torch can sway up to 5 inches.
12. The statue has 354 steps leading up to the crown.
13. The statue's face was modeled after Bartholdi's mother, but some theories suggest it may have been modeled after his brother or a woman named Sarah Salman.
14. The statue's torch is an important symbol in Masonic culture.
15. The statue was originally intended to be a different design, possibly an Arab peasant woman, and was meant to stand at the southern opening of the Suez Canal in Egypt.
16. The statue has seven spikes on its crown, symbolizing universal liberty across the seven oceans and continents.
17. The statue has 25 windows in its head, which makes seven if you add up the digits.
18. The statue is made of copper and was originally a different color, turning green due to oxidation in 1920.
19. The statue was used as a lighthouse for 16 years after its construction.
20. There are several other versions of the Statue of Liberty, including a smaller original model in Paris and a life-size copy of the torch on the Ponte Lama in Paris.