10 Things You May Not Know About the Statue of Liberty

The Statue of Liberty is a colossal neoclassical sculpture on Liberty Island in New York Harbor in New York City, United States. As tall as a 15-story building, it was a remarkable birthday gift from France to the United States. The statue was shipped across the Atlantic Ocean in crates and rebuilt on the island. Dedicated on October 28, 1886, it stands 305 feet (93 meters) tall, including the base. Here are ten fascinating things about the Statue of Liberty you might not know.

1. Originally Designed for the Entrance of the Suez Canal

Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi originally envisioned the statue as a lighthouse for the Suez Canal in Egypt. Inspired by his travels, he proposed a statue of a colossal woman holding a lamp and standing as a lighthouse to the Suez Canal. However, the project was halted due to financial issues and delays in the construction of the Suez Canal, leading Bartholdi to propose the statue to the United States.

2. A Replica Caused a Record Mistake

The United States Postal Service wanted to use the Statue of Liberty as the symbol of its “Forever” stamp, but there was a huge mistake. The photo on the stamp was not the real Statue of Liberty in New York; instead, it was the photo of the replica in Las Vegas. By the time the error was identified, ten and a half billion of the stamps had already been produced, making it the largest run of an error on a postage stamp. In 2018, a federal judge ordered the USPS to pay the sculptor of the replica, Robert S. Davidson, $3,548,470.95 for copyright infringement.

3. It Did Not Always Have a Green Color

The green color of the Statue of Liberty is a result of oxidation of its copper surface. When the statue was gifted to the United States, it had a reddish-brown copper color. Constant exposure to the elements allowed oxidation to take place, changing its color to green. In 1906, authorities considered repainting it to its original color, but the move was not well-received by the public. As of today, the Statue of Liberty has not been repainted.

4. Someone Hoped the Statue Would Help France Become a Democracy

Édouard de Laboulaye, a prominent political thinker of his time, proposed the statue to symbolize freedom and democracy. Laboulaye hoped that the statue would inspire similar values in France and help strengthen the cause of democracy in his country. With the help of a friend and sculptor, Bartholdi, Laboulaye was able to turn his dream into reality when the Statue of Liberty was erected in the U.S.

5. The Statue Changed the Name of an Island

Liberty Island was not always known by that name—it was originally known as “Oyster Island” because it was a major food source due to its large population of oysters. The island underwent several name changes before being renamed Liberty Island in 1956 to honor the statue. The Statue of Liberty was declared a national monument by President Calvin Coolidge in 1924.

6. The Torch Has Been Swapped for a New One

The Statue of Liberty is a woman holding a torch in a hand raised above her head. The torch was replaced in 1985 due to wear and tear and poorly executed renovations. The original torch is now displayed in the Statue of Liberty Museum, which opened in 2019.

7. The Eiffel Connection

Gustave Eiffel, known for the Eiffel Tower, redesigned the statue’s internal structure after the original designer, Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, passed away in 1879. Eiffel designed a tall, central pylon to be the primary support structure of the statue’s interior, ensuring its stability and longevity.

8. The Statue Is Linked to the Roman Goddess of Freedom

The Statue of Liberty draws inspiration from Libertas, the Roman goddess of freedom. Libertas was the patron goddess of freed slaves and personified freedom. The ancient artworks depicting Libertas as a goddess are very similar to the Statue of Liberty.

9. The Statue Is in Two States

The Statue of Liberty stands on Liberty Island, which is within the territory of New York. However, the land beneath it and the surrounding water are within New Jersey’s territory. This creates a unique and unusual legal situation.

10. Thomas Edison Nearly Made the Statue Speak

Thomas Edison, the man who made audio recording possible, proposed installing a giant phonograph inside the statue to broadcast speeches. However, his plan was never realized.