An Icon of Freedom and Hope

The Statue of Liberty, an enduring symbol of freedom and democracy, stands proudly on Liberty Island in New York Harbor. Gifted by the people of France to the United States in 1886, the statue commemorates the centennial of American independence and represents the friendship between the two nations. Designed by the French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, with its metal framework engineered by Gustave Eiffel, the statue remains an architectural and artistic marvel.

Standing at a total height of 305 feet from the ground to the tip of its torch, the Statue of Liberty is an awe-inspiring sight. The statue itself is made of copper, which has naturally oxidized over time to the characteristic green patina that we see today. Lady Liberty holds a torch in her right hand, symbolizing enlightenment, while her left hand cradles a tablet inscribed with the date of the American Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776.

The statue’s location on Liberty Island, near Ellis Island, is historically significant. For millions of immigrants arriving in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the sight of the Statue of Liberty was their first glimpse of America. It embodied the hope and promise of a new life in a land of opportunity and freedom. The sonnet “The New Colossus” by Emma Lazarus, engraved on a plaque within the statue’s pedestal, famously captures this sentiment with the words, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.”

Today, the Statue of Liberty is not only a national monument but also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, visited by millions of people from around the globe each year. It serves as a powerful reminder of the ideals of liberty and democracy, welcoming all who seek refuge and freedom.

 

Test 3

1. Who designed the Statue of Liberty?

A) Gustave Eiffel

B) Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi

C) Emma Lazarus

D) Auguste Rodin

 

2. What material is the Statue of Liberty primarily made of?

A) Bronze

B) Iron

C) Copper

D) Steel

 

3. Which famous engineer was responsible for the statue’s metal framework?

A) Thomas Edison

B) Alexander Graham Bell

C) Gustave Eiffel

D) James Watt

 

4. What does the tablet in the Statue of Liberty’s left hand represent?

A) The U.S. Constitution

B) The Declaration of Independence

C) The Emancipation Proclamation

D) The Bill of Rights

 

5. Where is the Statue of Liberty located?

A) Ellis Island

B) Central Park

C) Liberty Island

D) Governor’s Island

 

6. What is the significance of Emma Lazarus’s sonnet “The New Colossus”?

A) It describes the engineering feats of the statue.

B) It celebrates the friendship between France and the USA.

C) It welcomes immigrants to America.

D) It outlines the history of American independence.