Statue of Liberty

thingiverse

The Statue of Liberty (Liberty Enlightening the World) is a colossal neoclassical sculpture located on Liberty Island in New York Harbor in New York City, USA. The copper statue was designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and built by Gustave Eiffel. It was dedicated on October 28, 1886, as a gift from the people of France to the United States. The statue depicts a robed female figure representing Libertas, the Roman goddess, holding a torch and a tablet inscribed with the date July 4, 1776, the signing of the American Declaration of Independence. A broken chain lies at her feet, symbolizing freedom from oppression. Bartholdi was inspired by French politician Édouard René de Laboulaye's idea for a monument to American independence. The statue's construction began in the early 1870s after Laboulaye proposed that the French finance the project and Americans provide the site and build the pedestal. Bartholdi worked on the head and torch-bearing arm before the statue was fully designed, and these pieces were exhibited at international expositions to generate publicity. The torch-bearing arm was displayed at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia in 1876 and later in Madison Square Park from 1876 to 1882. Fundraising proved challenging, especially for Americans, and by 1885 work on the pedestal was threatened due to lack of funds. Publisher Joseph Pulitzer launched a campaign for donations that attracted over 120,000 contributors, most giving less than $1. The statue was constructed in France, shipped overseas, and assembled on the completed pedestal on Bedloe's Island. The completion of the statue marked New York City's first ticker-tape parade and a dedication ceremony presided over by President Grover Cleveland. Initially, the statue was administered by the United States Lighthouse Board until 1901, then by the Department of War, and since 1933 has been maintained by the National Park Service. The statue underwent significant restoration in the early 1980s due to severe deterioration and was closed for renovation from 2001 to 2012. After the September 11 attacks, it was closed for safety reasons until 2009 when it reopened with limited access to visitors. In 2013, Liberty Island reopened after a year-long closure for renovations and Hurricane Sandy's aftermath. Public access to the balcony surrounding the torch has been restricted since 1916 due to safety concerns.