Friday, June 17, 2011

A Very Timely Arrival...!


Probably one of the most recognizable symbols of America there ever was, on this day in history made it to our shores!

Short of the stars and stripes, I can't think of anything else that is more associated with the U.S.! The story of the Statue of Liberty is quite a read!

For those that don't know the history, or for those that just want to have the story refreshed...this may help!

Jun 17, 1885:

Statue of Liberty arrives

The Statue of Liberty, a gift of friendship from the people of France to the people of the United States, arrives in New York City's harbor.

Originally known as "Liberty Enlightening the World," the statue was proposed by French historian Edouard Laboulaye to commemorate the Franco-American alliance during the American Revolution. Designed by French sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi, the 151-foot statue was the form of a woman with an uplifted arm holding a torch. In February 1877, Congress approved the use of a site on New York Bedloe's Island, which was suggested by Bartholdi. In May 1884, the statue was completed in France, and three months later the Americans laid the cornerstone for its pedestal in New York. On June 19, 1885, the dismantled Statue of Liberty arrived in the New World, enclosed in more than 200 packing cases. Its copper sheets were reassembled, and the last rivet of the monument was fitted on October 28, 1886, during a dedication presided over by U.S. President Grover Cleveland.

On the pedestal was inscribed "The New Colossus," a famous sonnet by American poet Emma Lazarus that welcomed immigrants to the United States with the declaration;

"Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me.
I lift my lamp beside the golden door."

Six years later, Ellis Island, adjacent to Bedloe's Island, opened as the chief entry station for immigrants to the United States, and for the next 32 years more than 12 million immigrants were welcomed into New York harbor by the sight of "Lady Liberty." In 1924, the Statue of Liberty was made a national monument.

One thing that is going to always be on my "bucket list" is the chance to actually see the Statue of Liberty in person. It will be a long time from now, because the chances of me going to New York are pretty slim to say the least!

One trip I am going to take is out to the patio to enjoy some fresh coffee! Would you like to join me?

12 comments:

Ben in Texas said...

Guess I should add it to my list as well.

In reading the word on the pedestal, I see a the major problem with our immigrants today,,Just re-read that

"Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me."

Dammed!!! We ask for the dredges.. not the cream of the crop! :-)

Sixbears said...

Love that French harbor girl!

Been there. Climbed to the crown. It's worth seeing. Reminds me of a time when the US was a beacon of freedom and hope. Good thing to remember.

Anonymous said...

I agree, a trip to NYC rates just above having bowel surgery done with a dull stick. The Big Apple has no interest for me. No offense intended for people feeling otherwise.

BigBadSis@gmail.com said...

I would love to join you, Bubba, both on the patio and on the trip to New York. Sue and I were close (New Jersey airport) once but we didn't feel that we had time to visit.
Love you.

P.S. Ben has a point as does Sixbears!

BigBadSis@gmail.com said...

Careful what we wish for, eh?

Dizzy-Dick said...

When they move it someplace where I don't have to go through or near New York City, I may go there, although I appreciate the things nature and God made over what man has attempted.

JoJo said...

Yes we need to watch what we ask for. But those people entered legally.
I lived in NJ most of my life but never went there. I dislike NY and would do anything to avoid it. Had a very ugly experience there as a young child.
I will join you on the patio for a nice cup.

HermitJim said...

Hey Ben...
I have so many things on my bucket list, I'll never get them all done.

Come to think of it, I'll probably miss nearly all the list at the rate I'm going!

Thanks, buddy, for coming by today!


Hey Sixbears...
Must have been quite a climb!

It's a shame we have strayed so far from what we once were!

I appreciate the visit today!


Hey Anon 6:08...
Many of us feel the same way! Just can't help it!

Thanks for coming by today!

HermitJim said...

Hey Sis...
It's a shame you didn't get a chance to go visit the statue, but it gives you something to look forward to!

Looking forward to when we have a chance to get together for a visit!

Come when you can...and thanks for dropping by today!


Hey DD...
I'm with you on appreciating nature over man made!

I can't blame you on not wanting to go into New York, that's for sure!

They probably feel the same about Texas!

Thanks for coming by today!

Mo said...

Good stuff. Thanks for posting that.

tffnguy said...

Might as well send her back to France cause there ain't much liberty and freedom here anymore.

Diggity Dog said...

The thing that the Statue of Liberty helps me to remember is that it's very easy to benign France when we do have a long history with them. They did help us enormously in the American Revolution. While their view of liberty has diverted from our own and some of them can be real pricks I do think that it's a bit too easy to pick on the frogs.

When I was a child my mother took me to france for a weekend on vacation. We got separated in the subway but a nice French woman stayed with me until my mom hopped off her train, jumped on the one in the reverse direction and then we were gratefully reunited. We're all humans. Sometimes we let too much of this government and media bullshit get between us.