New York Statue of Liberty Travel Magnet

The Statue of Liberty, standing proudly on Liberty Island in New York Harbour, is one of the most recognisable symbols of freedom and democracy. Designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and gifted to the United States by France in 1886, the statue commemorates the centennial of American independence and the long-standing friendship between the two nations. Made of copper, the statue originally had a reddish-brown hue but has since developed its iconic green patina due to natural oxidation. The Statue of Liberty, formally named Liberty Enlightening the World, holds a torch in her right hand and a tablet in her left, inscribed with the date of the Declaration of Independence (July 4, 1776). She also wears a crown with seven spikes, representing the seven continents and seas, symbolising universal freedom. Beyond its artistic and historical significance, the statue has been an enduring beacon of hope for immigrants arriving in the United States, particularly during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Standing at 305 feet (93 metres) tall, including its pedestal, it was often the first sight for millions of immigrants entering through Ellis Island, just nearby. The poem "The New Colossus" by Emma Lazarus, engraved on the pedestal, famously welcomes the "huddled masses yearning to breathe free," reinforcing the statue's role as a symbol of refuge and opportunity. Today, the Statue of Liberty remains a major tourist attraction and a powerful emblem of freedom, democracy, and human rights worldwide.