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| Planet of the Apes |
I've never seen the Statue of Liberty up close. I'd love to,
and I will one day, but right now my chances are slim.
Truth be told, I don't know if I need to see her up close.
She's on coins, postcards, and stamps. She's been in several iconic movies. For
me, the most chilling representation of what she stands for is in the "Planet
of the Apes" – Lady Liberty half buried in sand is a poignant statement.
Freedom and Liberty as we knew it has died an ugly death (in the movie.) Thank
goodness, that is only a movie and the real Lady Liberty still stands tall and
proud in New York Harbor.
What does the Statue of Liberty mean to me? It embodies the
high ideals that the founding fathers strived for: freedom, liberty, the pursuit
of happiness, equality, and justice. Some of these lofty ideals we still struggle
with 244 years after the Declaration of Independence was signed. For me, I look
to the Statue of Liberty and I believe that American spirit will never die.
Have a great 4th of July. May it be filled with
fun, BBQ, and fireworks – and a toast to liberty.
Enjoy these fun facts about the statue:
--The Statue was a gift to the United States from the people
of France.
--Lady Liberty was dedicated on 28 Oct 1886 by President
Grover Cleveland.
--Frederic Bartholdi designed the statue. Gustav Eiffel
built it.
--The US faced great economic challenges raising money to
build the pedestal. (The French did the rest) Joseph Pulitzer spearheaded a
fundraising drive. Soon, 102,000.00 dollars were raised from 120,000 donors.
80% of the total had been 1.00 or less.
--Emma Lazarus initially declined to write a poem for the
statue. When she observed the living conditions of refugees in New York from
Eastern Europe, she expressed her empathy by writing "The Colossus." The
poem's most iconic lines: "Give me your tired/your poor/your huddled
masses/yearning to breathe free."
--No one in the US died during the construction.
--On 28 Oct 1886, New York had a parade. The stock exchange
threw ticker tape from the windows. It was the 1st ticker tape
parade.
--On D-Day, 6 Jun 1944, the lights on Lady Liberty flashed "dot,
dot, dot, dash," morse code for "V" for victory.
Question: What does Lady Liberty mean to you? I'd love to
hear your thoughts.
Me? I have to work at the call center for LAPD from 6 am to
2 pm. Then I'm off to BBQ at Castaic Lake with the boys and then Magic Mountain
for the light show. How do you plan to spend your 4th?
Hi Stephanie,
ReplyDeleteThat was a wonderful blog. Written like a true patriot.
Hope you enjoy your day after you finish up at work.
Regards
margaret
nice post, Steph. That poem still gives me chills. Great writing really stands the test of time.
ReplyDeleteStephanie, there is no way a movie can do justice to the Statue of Liberty because it's fake. Make it your goal to see the real thing. Hubby and I will go riding our scooter to celebrate our freedom. Smile!
ReplyDeleteI am very blessed to have seen the Statue of Liberty up close on a boat ride out to Ellis Island. I was surprised that she wasn't larger because she appears so much taller in photos. Maybe it's what she represents that makes her taller than life. I was in awe and my heart fluttered with pride at seeing her and knowing what she stands for - liberty. You can feel it all around her and glory in what she represents. Thanks for all the interesting facts, Stephanie. Have a great holiday with your sons and friends. :)
ReplyDeleteI climbed all the way up into her head when I was nineteen--then I had to climb down. My friend and I couldn't bend our knees for two days. She's a beauty and a great symbol.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen it yet myself either. But I do still get chills when I see the movie "Planet of the Apes" because of how sad the statue looks in the sand. Enjoy your Fourth. I'm spending the day with my furbabies and writing! :)
ReplyDeleteShe is so beautiful holding the torch that lights the way to freedom. I want to see her in person. Happy 4th of July. May God bless America.
ReplyDeleteGreat 4th of July post! I tweeted.
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone for visiting and sharing your thoughts about Lady Liberty and for those who visited I was tickled pink to hear about your experiences. I'll get there one day!
ReplyDeleteSmiles to all
Steph