Almost everyone who hears the name Statue of Liberty, thinks of that huge statue in New York harbor that was a gift from France to the United States. That is where perhaps the most famous Statue of Liberty resides and the one which is the subject of this article, but just for clarification there are other famous Statues of Liberty and they are in San Marino, New York City (not the one in the harbor), Washington DC, Paris France, Riga Latvia, Florence Italy, Bordeaux France and Birmingham Alabama. The ones mentioned are not all of the statues just the most famous ones. I know that someone will write to tell me there is also one in Las Vegas , which is true.

Not all of these Statues of Liberty look like the one in New York harbor, but some are copies. The ones in New York City at 64th St. And Broadway atop a building, along with the one in Bordeaux France and Birmingham Alabama and yes the one in Las Vegas are copies but somewhat smaller.

Weight of copper used in statue, 200,000 pounds (100 tons)
Weight of steel used in statue, 250,000 pounds (125 tons)
Total weight of statue, 450,000 pounds (225 tons)
Copper sheeting of statue is 3/32-inch thick

The Statue of Liberty was a gift from France and was dedicated on October 28, 1886. The sculptor was Auguste Bartholdi who stood in the torch and undraped the statue's face which was covered with a French tri-color flag. President Grover Cleveland accepted the statue.

Deed of Gift for Statue of Liberty
Source: National Park Service

Deed Of Gift Translated: Translated, the Deed of Gift (reproduced above) reads: 1. The Fourth of July, 1884, Anniversary Day of American Independence. In presence of M. Jules Ferry, Minister of Foreign Affairs of France, and President of the Council of Ministers. Count Ferdinand de Lesseps, in the name of the Committee of the Franco-American Union, and of the national manifestation of which that Committee has been the organ, has presented the colossal statue of "Liberty Enlightening the World," the work of the sculptor Bartholdi, to His Excellency, Mr. Morton, United States Minister at Paris, praying him to be the interpreter of the national sentiment of which this work is the expression. Mr. Morton, in the name of his compatriots, thanks the Franco-American Union for this testimony of sympathy from the French people; he declares that, in virtue of the powers conferred upon him by the President of the United States, and the Committee of Work in America, represented by its honorable president, Mr. William M. Evarts, he accepts the statue, and that it shall be erected in conformity with the vote of Congress of the 22nd of February, 1877; in the harbor of New York, as a souvenir of the unalterable friendship of the two nations. In faith of which there have signed: In the name of France: Jules Ferry—Jules Brisson. In name of the Committee of the Franco-American Union: Ferdinand de Lesseps—Edmond de Lafayette. In name of the United States: Levi P. Morton.

Source: National Park Service

Plaque
Source: National Park Service

The following pictures are courtesy the Library of Congress and show pieces of the Statue of Liberty while it was being constructed in France.

There seems to be a spooky element here. Why does this make one feel uneasy, could it relate back to the movies such as the original Planet of the Apes where we saw a destroyed Statue of Liberty on the beach?

These are the workman assembling the statue. If you look closely you can see the upper half of the torso in the background.

The statue makes it to New York Harbor

Left: Face as it appears today. Source: National Park Service
Right: Statue as it appears today. Source: White House

Auguste Bartholdi wasn't only famous for the Statue of Liberty. Here are some of his other famous works:

Left: Lafayette in Union Square, New York City. Source: National Park Service
Right: The Lion of Belfort. Source: National Park Service

The four angelic trumpeters on the four corners of the tower of the First Baptist Church in Boston, Mass. Source: National Park Service