The creation of this monument was a joined effort between America and France. French architect, Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi was in charge of creating the statue. He enlisted the help of Alexandre Gustave Eiffel (designer of the Eiffel Tower), who designed the skeletal steel framework. American architect Richard Morris Hunt designed the granite base for the statue. But it was no simple matter to get her to America!
The height of the entire monument is 305 feet 6 inches and it weighs about 450,000 pounds! The statue had to be broken down into 350 individual pieces and shipped to America in 214 crates on board the French frigate 'Isere'. Once it arrived, it took four months to assemble.
The shackles at the lady's feet are symbolic of the United States' desire to be free from oppression and tyranny. In her hands, the torch is a representation of enlightenment and the tablet, inscribed with "July IV, MDCCLXXVI," displays the date of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
