statue of liberty, new york city vacationBefore taking your New York City vacation this summer, you should increase your knowledge of the city so you have a better idea of what you are looking at. For the first time visitor, going to the Statue of Liberty is a must. But have you ever wondered what the back story is on our country’s most popular lady?

France gave the United States the Statue of Liberty as a gift in 1886. Sitting on Ellis Island it was the welcoming symbol for all incoming immigrants from over the Atlantic. Frederic Auguste Bartholdi created the copper-coated lady by raising money through the sale of miniature statues.

The creator of the Eiffel Tower then designed the internals of the Statue of Liberty. The flame of the torch is plated in gold leaf sitting at the highest point of 151 feet tall. If you count the pedestal the statue is on then the tip of the torch is 305 feet tall. The Statue of Liberty signifies the escape from oppression and is an American icon on all corners of the country.