Statue of Liberty

The Statue of Liberty is a famous symbol of freedom and democracy located in New York Harbor. It was a gift from the people of France to the United States and was dedicated on October 28, 1886.

History

The idea for the statue was proposed by French historian Édouard René de Laboulaye as a gift to the United States to celebrate their centennial of independence and to honor the friendship between the two nations. The statue was designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and its metal framework was built by Gustave Eiffel, who later designed the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

Symbolism

The statue is a representation of Libertas, the Roman goddess of freedom. The torch she holds symbolizes enlightenment, the tabula ansata tablet in her left hand represents the law, and the broken chains at her feet signify freedom from oppression and tyranny.

Design and Construction

The statue is made of copper sheets, with a framework of steel support. It stands at a height of 151 feet and 1 inch, and the total height from the base to the tip of the torch is 305 feet. It was shipped to the United States in pieces and assembled on Liberty Island in New York Harbor.

Study Guide Questions

Who proposed the idea for the Statue of Liberty?
What does the torch held by the statue symbolize?
Who designed the metal framework of the statue?
Where is the Statue of Liberty located?
What does the broken chains at the statue's feet represent?

◂Social Studies Worksheets and Study Guides Third Grade. Landmarks

The resources above cover the following skills:

National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies (NCSS)

PEOPLE, PLACES, AND ENVIRONMENTS

SOCIAL STUDIES PROGRAMS SHOULD INCLUDE EXPERIENCES THAT PROVIDE FOR THE STUDY OF PEOPLE, PLACES, AND ENVIRONMENTS.

KNOWLEDGE - Learners will understand:

Physical and human characteristics of the school, community, state, and region, and the interactions of people in these places with the environment.

National Standards for Civics and Government (NSCG)

What are the Basic Values and Principles of American Democracy? Why is it important for Americans to share certain values, principles, and beliefs?

American identity: Students should be able to explain the importance of Americans sharing and supporting certain values, principles, and beliefs. To achieve this standard, students should be able to

Identify symbols used to depict Americans’ shared values, principles, and beliefs and explain their meaning, e.g., the flag, Statue of Liberty, Statue of Justice, Uncle Sam, Great Seal, national anthem, oaths of office, and mottoes such as E Pluribus Unum

National Center for History in Schools (NCHS)

Topic 3: The History of the United States: Democratic Principles and Values and the People from Many Cultures Who Contributed to Its Cultural, Economic, and Political Heritage

How democratic values came to be, and how they have been exemplified by people, events, and symbols.

The student understands national symbols through which American values and principles are expressed.