DISCUSSION TOPIC: STATUE OF LIBERTY

The Primary Question

How has the Statue of Liberty become a focal point since its origins for an on-going conversation between Americans and non-Americans alike on such issues as the meaning of liberty and its relationship to revolution; the state of freedom or its lack thereof in the United States; the role of immigration in American society; and the place of the United States on the world stage?  Highlight one or more aspects of this history of the statue as symbol and offer your analysis and comments.

Other Questions

Find historic examples in which the Statue of Liberty has become a symbol of debate or conflict.  Offer your analysis of one or more of these moments of controversy.

What else is most interesting about the history of the Statue of Liberty?

Possible Starting Places

  "Creation Of The Statue Of Liberty," The Idea Of The Statue Of Liberty, PBS Learning Media.  (4 mins)

"  Liberty And Slavery," PBS Learning Media.  (5 mins)

  "The Statue Of Liberty: 127 Years At America's Gateway," Atlantic (July 5, 2013).

  Angela Serratore, "The Americans Who Saw Lady Liberty As A False Idol Of Broken Promises," Smithsonian, May 28, 2019.

Video Sources

  "The Land Of Liberty," PBS Learning Media.  ( 2 mins)

"The Promise," PBS Learning Media.  (4 mins)

  "Reactions To Arrival In The United States," PBS Learning Media.  (3 mins)

  "Analyzing The Symbolism Of The Statue Of Liberty," PBS Learning Media.  (1 mins)

  "America The Story Of Us: Statue Of Liberty Unknown," History Channel, May 20, 2010.  (3 mins)

  "Planet Of The Apes Movie Clip," Statue Of Liberty, 1968.  (3 mins)

Statue Of Liberty In The News

  Gloria Oladipo, "Leaving New York: Beloved Statue Of Liberty Miniature Finds New Home In Midwest," Guardian, June 21, 2023.

  Elizabeth Stone, "The Woman Who Saved The Statue Of Liberty," Smithsonian Magazine, May 4, 2023.

  Bill Chappell, "The Statue Of Liberty's Crown Is Now Open For The First Time Since The Pandemic Began," NPR, October 11, 2022.

  Roger Cohen, "As France Sends U.S. A Second Statue Of Liberty, Her Symbolism Is Debated," New York Times, June 19, 2021.

Isis Davis-Marks, "France Is Sending The Statue Of Liberty's 'Little Sister' On A Trip To The U.S.," Smithsonian Smart News, June 11, 2021.

Josie Fischels, "Little Lady Liberty: France Is Sending The U.S. A Second, Smaller Statue Of Liberty," NPR, June 10, 2021.

Derrick Bryson Taylor, "France Sends The U.S. Another, Smaller Statue Of Liberty," New York Times, June 10, 2021.

  Adrian Horton, "'She Belongs To Everyone': Diane Von Furstenberg's Statue Of Liberty Documentary," Guardian, October 17, 2019.

"Lady Liberty: Hong Kong Protesters Haul Statue To Mountain Top," France 24, October 14, 2019.

  "Trump Official Revises Statue Of Liberty Poem To Defend Migrant Rule Change," BBC News, August 14, 2019.

  Edward Helmore, "Trump Official: Statue Of Liberty Poem Should Mean 'Poor Who Can Stand On Own Two Feet,'" Guardian, August 14, 2019.

  Edward Helmore, "Statue Of Liberty Shown Cuffed And Arrested By Immigration Officials In New Mural," Guardian, August 14, 2019.

  Aaron Ruper, "Trump Official Suggests Famous Statue Of Liberty Sonnet Is Too Nice To Immigrants," Vox, August 13, 2019.

  Julia Jacobs, "New Statue Of Liberty Museum Illuminates A Forgotten History," New York Times, May 15, 2019.

  Amy Crawford, "A New Museum Sheds Light On The Statue Of Liberty," Smithsonian, May 2019.

  Victoria Bekiempis, "Statue Of Liberty's Original Torch Gets A New Home," Guardian, December 25, 2018.

  Andrew Glass, "LBJ Hails Immigration Reform, Oct. 3, 1965," Politico, October 3, 2018.

  Joanna Walters, "Interview: 'Are They Going To Shoot Me?" -- Statue Of Liberty Climber On Her Anti-Trump Protest," Guardian, July 7, 2018.

James Doubek, "Activists Arrested At Statue Of Liberty After Protesting Trump's Immigration Policies," NPR, July 5, 2018.

  "U.S. Post Must Pay $3.5 M For Wrong Lady Liberty On Stamp," BBC News, July 5, 2018.

  "The Statue Of Liberty And Barcelona: The Stories Behind These Two Protest Pictures," BBC News, July 5, 2018.

  Andrew Glass, "Statue Of Liberty Arrives In New York Harbor, June 17, 1885," Politico, June 17, 2018.

Paul A. Kramer, "Who Does She Stand For?," Slate, March 5, 2018.

  Andrew Glass, "President Roosevelt Rededicates Statue Of Liberty, Oct. 28, 1936," Politico, October 28, 2017.

Charles Desmarais, "Masses Still Huddle, And Lady Liberty Still Inspires," SFGate, February 22, 2017.

  Sarah Gilbert, "Replicas Of The Statue Of Liberty Around The World -- In Pictures," Guardian, October 28, 2016.

Andrew Glass, "Statue Of Liberty Dedicated, Oct. 28, 1886," Politico, October 28, 2016.

  Amber Jamieson, "Statue Of Liberty Museum: Design Unveiled For New $70 M Project," Guardian, October 7, 2016.

  Dave Eggers, "The Statue Of Liberty Was Built To Welcome Immigrants -- That Welcome Must Not End," Guardian, July 4, 2016.

Sam Connery, "Taking Liberties With An American Goddess," Smithsonian, July 1996.

Erin Blakemore, "The Statue Of Liberty Was Originally A Muslim Woman," Smithsonian Smart News, November 24, 2015.

  Helen Thompson, "The Statue Of Liberty Arrived In New York In 350 Pieces," Smithsonian Smart News, July 17, 2015.

"Photos: Statue Of Liberty's Illustrious History," CNN, June 17, 2015.

Glenn C. Altschuler, "'Liberty's Torch,' By Elizabeth Miller," SFGate, July 2, 2014.

  Elizabeth A. Harris, "A Magical Isle Loses The Last Of Its Residents," New York Times, October 7, 2013.

  "Oct. 28, 1886: Statue Of Liberty Is Unveiled," New York Times Learning Network (October 28, 2011).

Linton Weeks, "7 Obscure Facts About The Statue Of Liberty," NPR, May 8, 2009.

Edward Berenson, "Op-Ed Contributor: A Gift From France, To France," New York Times, July 3, 2008.

  Caleb Crain, "Mother Of Exile," New York Times, December 31, 2006.

  Edward T. O'Donnell, "Bring Us Your Tired, Your Poor.  Or Don't," New York Times, May 7, 2006.

Glenn Collins, "Cracks Found In The Myths Around Statue; Park Service Librarian Writes Book To Clarify Lady Liberty's Origins," New York Times, October 28, 2000.

"New York City Unveils Statue Of Liberty," Guardian Archive, October 29, 1886.

Web-Sites

  Statue Of Liberty -- Wikipedia:  An entry from the on-line encyclopedia.

  Statue Of Liberty, National Park Service:

  Statue Of Liberty -- Ellis Island Foundation:

  The Arm That Clutched The Torch: The Statue Of Liberty's Campaign For A Pedestal, New York Public Library.

  Lady Liberty -- The Changing Face Of Freedom:

  5 Things You May Not Know About The Statue Of Liberty, Google Arts And Culture:

Statue Of Liberty -- History.Com:

Statue Of Liberty -- Early History Of The Island:  A brief 1961 introduction from the Liberty State Park web-site.

Audio Sources

"The Statue Of Liberty's (Very) Little Sister Is Coming To Town," All Things Considered, NPR, July 2, 2021.  (5 mins)

  "Immigration Chief: 'Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor Who Can Stand On Their Own 2 Feet,'" NPR, August 13, 2019.  (8 mins)

"Meet The One Man Still Making Those Little Statue Of Liberty Replicas," PRI's The World, December 17, 2013.

  "Two Brothers Remember Lives Spent With Liberty," Morning Story, NPR, July 5, 2013.

  "The Statue Of Liberty," In Our Time, BBC Radio 4 (February 14, 2008).

Articles

  "What Is The Meaning Behind The Statue Of Liberty?," The Collector.

Amber C. Snider, "A Brief History Of The Statue Of Liberty," Culture Trip (December 24, 2019).

  Emily Temple, "15 Works Of Contemporary Literature By And About Refugees," Literary Hub (January 31. 2017).

"A Symbol Of Freedom: The Statue Of Liberty," JD Journal (December 20, 2013).

"Rare Photos Of The Statue Of Liberty Being Built In 1883," Twisted Sifter (May 22, 2013).

Randy James, "A Brief History Of The Statue Of Liberty," Time (May 12, 2009).

David Glassberg, "Rethinking The Statue Of Liberty: Old Meanings, New Contexts," (December 2003).