THE STATUE OF OUR LIBERTY
By Everett F. Stevens
Staff Writer
Thursday, June 19, 2008 — Many people know of the Statue of Liberty, but not everyone knows where the Statue of Liberty came from and what it is symbolic of.
The Statue of Liberty was actually a gift intended to foster friendship between France and the U.S.
You might be interested to know that the Statue's official name is Liberty Enlightening the World. The real name, however, doesn't seem to have the same ring as the one it goes by now.
Today, the Statue is more commonly known as the Statue of Liberty. The people of France, intending to foster friendship between the two countries, designed it and gave it as a gift to the United States.
The Statue of Liberty was given and dedicated to the United States on October 28th, 1886. Among its many meanings, the Statue commemorates the centennial of the United States.
Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi sculpted this magnificent Statue. He actually raised funds to construct the Statue through the sale of miniature models.
Alexandre-Gustave Eiffel, who designed the Eiffel Tower in France, engineered the structure of the statue.
The look of the Statue of Liberty came from yet another Frenchman.
Eugene Viollet-le-Duc decided to use the copper exterior in the construction of the Statue. This is what gives the Statue of Liberty the green coloring we know today.
The Statue itself is of a robed woman holding a torch to light the way. The flame of the original torch was actually not made of copper, but of glass planes. The foundation of the statue is made of granite, and sits inside a courtyard whose walls form an eleven-pointed star.
With the pedestal and foundation, the statue stands a whopping 305 ft tall.
From 1886 until the invention of modern airplanes, the Statue of Liberty was one of the first glimpses immigrants saw as they were coming into the country for the first time.
For this reason, the Statue is considered to be a symbol of welcome into the United States. It also represents freedom, and the pursuit of happiness, and many other principles our country stands for.
For many, seeing the Statue of Liberty meant that they were beginning their American dream.
For some, it still means the same.
THE MILLSBERRY STATUE
Thursday, June 19, 2008 — As we take a look at the Statue of Liberty, it's also time to reflect on our very own Millsberry Statue. Our Millsberry Statue is something that we all hold dear to our hearts. It represents the nature of this town, our community, and our spirit. It shows that Millsberry is a special place. A place where everyone cares a little more. A place where people are a little more friendly. And a place where people have a little more fun.