The Statue of Liberty Celebrates 125th Anniversary
The State of Liberty during its 125th Anniversary Celebration
The Statue of Liberty (a.k.a. Liberty Enlightening the World) celebrated its 125th year as a landmark and as a testament to the American ideal this past week, October 28th 2011. It was on that day in 1886 when the statue was dedicated with Libertas, the Roman goddess of freedom standing tall with a torch bearing freedom, chains broken at her feet, and a tablet evoking the laws of our Declaration.
Intended as a gift from the people of France and designed by Frédéric Bartholdi. The production of Libertas and her famed sculpture took Bartholdi over 15 years to make due to political unrest in France and than a lack of funds, which brought publisher Joseph Pulitzer of the World to drive a fundraiser in 1885 bringing more than a 120,000 Americans to contribute to it’s finishing.
Political unrest, lack of funds aside, this gift from France speaks more to us now than ever before. Are we not a nation of political unrest and bestowed with a lack of funds?
The Statue of Liberty was made in a time where America was beginning an upward climb, a manifesting path of un-defiance for an abundant future.
We must look to France in gratitude for this prized possession that is our reminder of freedom and opportunity, and than look to ourselves to make sure we deliver on its promise. Of the 120,000 American people who donated to the finishing touches more than half gave less than a dollar! It was France and the help of the American working class that helped raise this prize! Let us raise it again!
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