Lady Liberty Celebrates 125 Years By Going Online!
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On Friday, October 28th, 2011 one of America's most famous landmarks - The Statue of Liberty AKA Liberty Enlightening The World, celebrated its 125th years of existence. The statue was given to the country by France in 1886, as a gesture of the friendship between the two countries and symbolized the love of liberty shared by both.
The 131ft. copper statue of the robed female figure depicting Libertas, the Roman goddess of Freedom carrying a torch, was originally designed to be a lighthouse and functioned as one for 16 years, until 1902.
However, it soon turned into a symbol of freedom to the thousands European immigrants that came to the USA to escape the devastating famine and war that swept through their countries in the mid 1900's. Today, the lady in green is one of the most popular tourist destinations clocking in over 3.5 million visitors each year.
In celebration of her 125th birthday, Lady Liberty's famous torch was fitted with five web cameras - Four to provide 24-hour video footage of the vista around and one to provide footage from inside the statue itself. In addition to that, 125 lucky immigrants from 40 countries got to take their oath of citizenship under this symbol of freedom.
The evening culminated with a spectacular show of fireworks after which, Lady Liberty closed its doors to the public to undergo a year of renovations. The $27.25million USD undertaking will include upgrades to the statue's 125-year-old pedestal and the 200-year old fort base from which she stands so proud. In addition to that, the statue's interior will be fitted with new stairways and elevators and its water and mechanical systems will be re-furbished. While visitors will still be able to visit and admire the statue from the outside, those wanting to take a peek inside, will either have to wait a year or simply check out the live feed from the statue by visiting sf.earthcam.com.
Happy 125th Birthday Lady Liberty!
Resources: Wikipedia.org,abc.go.com,latimesblogs.latimes.com
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227 Comments
- Snow Taylorover 13 yearsAWESOME! I never knew Lady Liberty was a Roman goddess. Did you know that? I am reading " The Son of Neptune " for the second time and the characters never said anything about Libertus, or many of the Roman gods. I think National Gerograhpic said something about the upgrade.
- Gabriellaover 13 yearsI think the lady of Liberty is cool. On the video I liked the fireworks they were pretty and cool. When I saw the statue of liberty I thought it was cool seeing it for the first time.
- daves not here yayover 13 yearsaw i wanted to go there to go to the crown and the torch to PS ill probably barf
imbeautiful12over 13 yearsOMG THIS IS THE MOST AMAZING THING I HAD EVER SEEN! I MEAN READ ABOUT LOL- Emilyover 13 yearswow!I wonder how long it took to put fireworks all around the statue of liberty. The statue of liberty is really tall,it's 131 feet tall!!!I would love to go inside the statue of liberty's crown.I would be able to see the whole city!!!!
- Evanover 13 yearsThat was so cool the Statue of Liberty is 125 years old. I thought It was going to be like 200 years old. My dad will problably take me there one day. Look at the view from the Earth cam.
- Lauren Bieberover 13 yearsThat is so cool. It is cool that she is still around today. I loved the video. I wonder how long it took France to make it . It must of took them a long time it looks like they put a lot of work into it. I went there, she was so pretty. Also the Statue Of Liberty is big. When you look up it looks like she is going to fall down on you. Anyway I loved the fireworks they are pretty. I wish to go back soon. HAPPY BIRTHDAY LADY LIBERTY!!!!!!!!! :)
- Kristina !!!!over 13 yearsWOW ! Weren't those fire works amazing ! I am wishing the statue happy 125 th Birthday !! WOW the statue has been around for a really long time ! After I do my homework I am going to look at the earth cam it is almost sundown !
- Morganover 13 yearsAt school we read about the Statue of Liberty and saw what the Earth cams were showing. I liked to see the city, especaially Times Square. I have never visited the Statue of Liberty, but plan on going with my family when it opens. I learned that Lady Liberty is from France and that she used to be a lighthouse. I am amazed that she is 125 years old!
- nickover 13 yearsthats really cool how 125 immagrants get to become citizens. I wonder how they pick the people to become citizens. I also rember LEARNING ABOUT THE WEB CAMS FROM TIME FOR KIDS