Introduction
The Statue of Liberty is one of the most iconic symbols of the United States. It stands tall and proud in New York Harbor, welcoming immigrants and visitors from all over the world. But did you know that New York City almost lost the Statue of Liberty? That's right, this beloved landmark almost ended up in another city.
The Story of the Statue of Liberty's Near Loss
The Statue of Liberty was a gift from France to the United States. The French people paid for the statue itself, while the American people were supposed to pay for the pedestal on which it would stand. But there was a problem: the American people were not exactly enthusiastic about the idea of paying for a pedestal for a statue.
In fact, there was so little interest in the project that it looked like the Statue of Liberty might not be built at all. That is, until a newspaper publisher named Joseph Pulitzer stepped in. Pulitzer launched a fundraising campaign in his newspaper, the New York World. He urged his readers to donate money to help build the pedestal.
Tip: Take your time with each sentence.
Pulitzer's campaign was a success. People from all over the country donated money, and the pedestal was eventually built. But it was a close call. If Pulitzer had not stepped in, the Statue of Liberty might never have been built.
Why Did New York City Almost Lose The Statue Of Liberty |
The Statue of Liberty's Close Calls
The Statue of Liberty has had a few close calls in its history. In addition to the near loss of the statue due to lack of funding, there was also the time that the statue was almost destroyed by a bomb. In 1916, German saboteurs planted a bomb on the island where the statue stands. The bomb exploded, but luckily, the statue was not damaged.
Tip: Reread tricky sentences for clarity.
The Statue of Liberty has also been closed to the public on several occasions. The most recent closure was in 2012, when Hurricane Sandy hit New York City. The statue was closed for several months while repairs were made.
The Statue of Liberty Today
Today, the Statue of Liberty is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Millions of people visit the statue each
QuickTip: Focus more on the ‘how’ than the ‘what’.
Conclusion
The Statue of Liberty is a national treasure. It is a symbol of everything that is great about the United States. We are lucky to have this beautiful statue in our country.
QuickTip: Break down long paragraphs into main ideas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are five frequently asked questions about the Statue of Liberty:
-
How tall is the Statue of Liberty? The Statue of Liberty is 305 feet tall from the ground to the tip of the torch.
-
How much did it cost to build the Statue of Liberty? The Statue of Liberty cost about $250,000 to build in the 1880s. That would be about $6 million today.
-
How many people visit the Statue of Liberty each year? About 4 million people visit the Statue of Liberty each year.
-
How do I get to the Statue of Liberty? The Statue of Liberty is located on Liberty Island in New York Harbor. You can get to the island by taking a ferry from Battery Park in Manhattan or from Liberty State Park in New Jersey.
-
What is the Statue of Liberty made of? The Statue of Liberty is made of copper. The copper has turned green over time due to oxidation.
Additional Information
Here are some additional resources about the Statue of Liberty:
The Statue of Liberty National Monument The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation The History of the Statue of Liberty
I hope you enjoyed this post about why New York City almost lost the Statue of Liberty. If you have any questions, please leave a comment below.
Thank you for reading!
💡 This page may contain affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.