History of the torch. The original torch of Lady Liberty was held by her hand until 1984. It was replaced in order to bring in something newer and more efficient and to better represent the wishes of the statue's designer.
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Standing proud, exposed to the elements, the statue has to withstand around 600 lightning bolts every year and, in high winds, the torch can sway by about 5 inches side-to-side!
The Statue of Liberty (Liberty Enlightening the World), a colossal sculpture on Liberty Island in New York Harbor, underwent an extensive conservation-restoration between 1984 and 1986, in advance of its centennial.
The tabletThis date of American independence was chosen by Bartholdi due to its association with America's Declaration of Independence. He greatly admired the American fight for liberty and freedom, as well as the U.S. Constitution. As a symbol, the tablet represents a book of law.
Originally, the sculptor planned to place the chains in the Statue's left hand, which instead became the position of her tablet. Bartholdi opted to place the chains and shackles at the feet of Lady Liberty to symbolize Liberty breaking free from bondage.
Visitors to Liberty Island can tour the grounds and, with appropriate advanced tickets, visit the Statue's pedestal and crown. Visitors can also explore the Statue of Liberty Museum.
Technically, there is no cost to visit Liberty Island. What you have to pay for is the ticket for ferry passage and whether or not you would like access to the statue's pedestal or her crown. (Crown tickets have an additional fee).
Statue of Liberty - a room inside the flameYes, you read that right! There is a secret room here, which you unfortunately can't access. In 1916, the room in the torch had to be closed after an explosion (which was an act of sabotage committed by German agents during World War I).
July 30, 1916Dynamite and explosives set for the British and French war effort were detonated. That statue suffered some minor damage (mostly to the right arm and torch) and closed for ten days. For public safety reasons, the torch balcony has been closed ever since.
The Statue of Liberty holds a torch and a tablet.The tablet has the date of the American Declaration of Independence inscribed in Roman numerals, JULY IV MDCCLXXVI.
Known as the “Keeper of the Flame,” DeLeo was responsible for ensuring the light bulbs—some 22 stories up—were changed. He accomplished this every day, rain or wind or shine, so that when people see the statue they are left with a sense of hope. DeLeo believes this spirit embodies the best of what America offers.
The Statue of Liberty has stayed this color for over a hundred years because all the exposed copper is now oxidized: she's stable at this point of her life.
You can't remove the patina without removing some of the copper too. The skin of the statue is on the thin side - 3/32nds of an inch (about two pennies thick). And it would only be temporary. The copper would turn green again as the copper surface was exposed to air, water and salt.
The Statue's shackles and feet. In 1886, The Statue of Liberty was a symbol of democratic government and Enlightenment ideals as well as a celebration of the Union's victory in the American Civil War and the abolition of slavery.