Sweet land of liberty…
A Beacon in New York
A symbol of the American people, the Statue of Liberty entered New York Harbor on June 17, 1885. Which means that this year is the 140th anniversary of her arrival in the United States.
Gifted by the people of France to the U.S. in the 1880s, today the statue is visited by 4.3 million tourists every year. With a history that tells the stories of many Americans and their families, Lady Liberty is truly a sight to behold. First welcoming weary travelers as they began new lives in America, now she greets visitors as a national monument.
Towering against the shoreline of New York City, the Statue of Liberty has stood the test of time. From the creation of the city’s five boroughs in 1898 to the Wall Street Crash of 1929 and the premier of Hamilton in 2015, Lady Liberty has watched over the city and its inhabitants.
As best said by Benjamin Franklin, “Where liberty dwells, there is my country.”
An artist’s touch
Inspired by the American people’s quest for freedom and France’s role in the American Revolution, Edouard-René de Laboulaye (a French professor of American history) proposed a (not so tiny) token to the U.S. It would celebrate 100 years of American freedom as well as the friendship between the two countries. A sculptor, Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi, gave life to the iconic figure we all know today: Liberty Enlightening the World.
But in order to make this dream come true, funds were needed.
Looking to help raise money for Bartholdi’s project, a poet rose to the occasion. Emma Lazarus penned the poignant sonnet “The New Colossus.” Touched by the plight of immigrants, Lazarus’ words were so moving they were placed on a plaque that can be found on the Statue of Liberty’s pedestal.
“…here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand, a mighty woman with a torch…”
Welcoming the huddled masses
Although not used as an immigration station, the Statue of Liberty stood guard over immigrants coming into the United States. Located on Liberty Island, she was first tasked with overseeing hopeful families entering through the city’s first immigration station at Castle Garden (today Castle Clinton). Soon however, her view would shift to another island.
In 1892, Ellis Island opened its doors to immigrants looking for a better life.
Stepping through the doors and into history was Annie Moore, a young Irish girl. The first person to immigrate through Ellis Island, Annie would lead the way for millions of immigrants making their way into America. In fact, it’s estimated that 40% of the 340 million people living in the U.S. today can find an ancestor who came through New York’s Ellis Island!
Ellis Island would operate for more than 60 years from 1892-1954, while the Statue of Liberty would stand tall as a warm welcome to politicians, scientists, musicians, and more like:
- Felix Frankfurter – a graduate of Harvard Law School who would be appointed to the Supreme Court by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Originally from Vienna, Austria, Frankfurter found his way to America in August 1894.
- Albert Einstein – known for his famous formula E=MC2, Einstein worked at Princeton University as a professor of theoretical physics. Born in Ulm, Germany, Einstein came to the U.S. in October 1933.
- Wanda Landowska – a brilliant musician who founded the Ecole de Musique Ancienne in Paris, she revived the harpsichord’s popularity in the music world. Hailing from Warsaw, Poland, Landowska immigrated to the United States in December 1941.
Enlightening the world
In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson enacted the National Park Service (NPS). Dedicated to protecting America’s natural beauty, the NPS manages national parks, historic sites, and monuments around the country.
And in 1924, the Statue of Liberty would join the ranks as a national monument.
Viewed as a symbol of American ideals, the NPS set out to redesign the island. In 1937, a design was drawn up to bring the statue and island together as one. Up until this point, the two had been at odds visually. This would require both Lady Liberty and the buildings on Liberty Island to undergo a facelift. But as World War II loomed over the nation, work was halted.
Finally, in 1957 – 20 years after work began – the makeover was complete!
Abandoned structures that had once served as army buildings were demolished. In their place, trees were planted and pathways were made. This once utilitarian island was turned into a place truly fit for liberty.
Just as she has since her unveiling in 1886, Lady Liberty stands proudly as a beacon of hope and freedom. But don’t just take my word for it! You can make the trek to the Big Apple and see her for yourself. Whether you’d rather keep your feet on the ground or want a bird’s eye view of the island, make sure you plan your visit ahead of time!
A coin is worth a thousand words
You don’t have to travel all the way to New York City to see Lady Liberty though. If you look in your coin collection or pocket change, you’re more than likely to see her familiar face. Since the mintage of our country’s first coins, she’s been a staple on American coinage. From the U.S. Innovation dollars to Standing Liberty quarters and Liberty Head nickels, it’s safe to say that the nation’s coins just wouldn’t be the same without her.
A personal favorite of mine is the Liberty Walking half dollars. Struck in 99.9% pure silver from 1916-1947, A.A. Weinman’s image of Liberty striding towards the dawn is a touching one. The beauty of these 50¢ pieces saw the nation through some of its darkest days. From the end of the first World War to the days of the Great Depression and through World War II, these half dollars inspired the American people to persevere through it all.
Have you ever visited the Statue of Liberty? What do you think are some of the United States’ “must see” national parks, monuments or historic sites? Tell me in the comments below!
Sources:
National Park Service. “Creating the Statue of Liberty.” Accessed April 11, 2025. https://www.nps.gov/stli/learn/historyculture/places_creating_statue.htm
National Park Service. “Changing Landscapes.” Accessed April 11, 2025. https://home.nps.gov/stli/learn/historyculture/places_changing_landscapes.htm
Hammond, Gabriela. “Statue Of Liberty Timeline: The Complete History.” Accessed April 11, 2025. https://www.statueoflibertytour.com/blog/statue-of-liberty-timeline-the-complete-history/
UNESCO World Heritage Convention. “Statue of Liberty.” Accessed April 11, 2025. https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/307
Ellis Island Foundation. “The Statue of Liberty.” Accessed April 11, 2025. https://www.statueofliberty.org/statue-of-liberty/overview-history/
