I continually see reference to the statue of liberty in error and it irks me to no end that people, even major sources have the incorrect information as to that statue. that statue was NOT a gift from the french government. That statue was NOT designed specially for the united states, it was in fact first designed for the egyptian government to be a light house on the then completed suez canal. and that plaque on the statue was NOT intended to be a welcome for foreign immigrants but rather a winning entry in a contest to raise funds for the base.
The statue of liberty - the truth behind it
- Thread starter deaver
- Start date
hollydolly
SF VIP
- Location
- London England
How Rude.. I simply posted the history... as it appears on the Internet.. don't make personal attacks they're not allowed here
hollydolly
SF VIP
- Location
- London England
what ?.. I don't even know you.... however, you're going on my ignore list from now on.
Disgustedman
Senior Member
Do you have some proof to what you're claiming? If so, please do present it.
Alligatorob
SF VIP
I think most of the facts cited by @deaver are correct. I also think the history cited by @hollydolly is correct. Both emphasize different aspects of the history, but really are not controversial or inconsistent.
The statue came from France, and without the French we would not have it. The initial cost was paid by the people of France and the US, more or less 50/50. https://www.thoughtco.com/who-paid-for-the-statue-of-liberty-1773828
The engraving welcoming emigrants was written by an American poet.
Statue of Liberty
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statue_of_Liberty
The statue came from France, and without the French we would not have it. The initial cost was paid by the people of France and the US, more or less 50/50. https://www.thoughtco.com/who-paid-for-the-statue-of-liberty-1773828
The engraving welcoming emigrants was written by an American poet.
Statue of Liberty
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statue_of_Liberty
Nathan
SF VIP
- Location
- High Desert- Calif.
I'm not sure what your point is, or of the source you're using(please post) but here is a reliable account:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statue_of_Liberty
stretch5881
Member
- Location
- Wisconsin
The History Channel also has a documentary on the subject. Although sometimes I think their docs are somewhat embellished.
Lewkat
Senior Member
- Location
- New Jersey, USA
No where can I find any info supporting deaver's initial statement.
'
'
Alligatorob
SF VIP
If you mean the claim:
it is a bit of a grey area. The French paid most of the cost of the statue from citizen and local government contributions. The French federal government doesn't seem to have paid:
It was felt inappropriate for France’s national government to donate money for the statue, but various city governments contributed thousands of francs, and approximately 180 cities, towns, and villages eventually gave money. https://www.thoughtco.com/who-paid-for-the-statue-of-liberty-1773828
If you meant the first line:
I tend to agree with you, @Lewkat ,but it is a subjective thing and I am sure there is a lot of misinformation out there...
@Nathan looks like we posted the same link at the same time, guess great minds think alike.
Last edited:
George1959
Senior Member
In my opinion it's not so much a question if Holly or deaver are right but of the comment itself. And I can only notice that deaver was very disrespectful - to say the least - with his answers to Holly.
Disgustedman
Senior Member
Funny, that the Suez Canal was completed 7 YEARS before the statue was even made. And of course, there's no factual history other than what hollydolly has presented.
If I've got ammo, I use it, shooting blanks doesn't produce hits.
Mizmo
Well-known Member
- Location
- Ontario, Canada
Just for fun......you might want to read what Snopes had to say about it 23 years ago....
https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/statue-of-liberty-origins/
https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/statue-of-liberty-origins/
Don M.
SF VIP
- Location
- central Missouri
It would be interesting to see/read the source you are using for this "information".
Mizmo
Well-known Member
- Location
- Ontario, Canada
Some more interesting stuff about Lady Liberty .
Tons of it on the net .... unbelievable !
There is mention of the Suez Canal here
https://www.statueoflibertytour.com... his design was rejected due to the high cost.
Tons of it on the net .... unbelievable !
There is mention of the Suez Canal here
https://www.statueoflibertytour.com... his design was rejected due to the high cost.
This was on wikipedia. So both versions are correct. Interesting I never heard that part about the Suez Canal before.
I think deaver's reply to Holly was incredibly rude. Even if her link was incorrect (it wasn't), what kind of way is that to answer a post about a beloved American symbol from a supportive friend in England? Sounds to me like someone who is itching for a fight.
I think deaver's reply to Holly was incredibly rude. Even if her link was incorrect (it wasn't), what kind of way is that to answer a post about a beloved American symbol from a supportive friend in England? Sounds to me like someone who is itching for a fight.
Disgustedman
Senior Member
Just a suggestion.
If you're going to claim certain things, have the proof ready. Next, don't be acrimonious in your declaration. You'd have gotten way better reactions instead saying "Did you know this? I'm surprised about it"
Trashing ones sacred cows can be done, but a master uses a filet knife, not a chainsaw. Yes, I have read your articles.
The op/Ed piece was more TLDR (fully)
The original wasn't what we got (Therefore, not the same)
The final was "minutiae" nothing of huge importance.
Class dismissed
Alligatorob
SF VIP
All of our myths have similar issues. If you look for the whole story behind Thanksgiving, George Washington, Betsey Ross and so on you find as much or more embellished story as opposed to truth. Still the myths serve a purpose.
It is an interesting thing to look to the truth behind the story, you post and links do a good job of that.
Been There
Well-known Member
- Location
- Florida
At the Naval Academy, we spent very little time on its history. What I remember is minimal, so I don’t want to insert opinion along with fact. That would make for a “made-up” story.
I do remember that the Statue did have a rather long history behind it and was designed by a sculptor, whose name escapes me. The design was tweaked a few times while being built, but in the end, it was a gift to the U.S. from France. It originally “may” have been intended to be designed and built for another cause, but the final chapter reads that it was a gift from France to the U.S.
It’s the history between when it was started and until it was completed and delivered that has been very seldom mentioned . But, the fact does remain that it was a gift from France to the U.S. Children in elementary schools are still being taught that much.
I do remember that the Statue did have a rather long history behind it and was designed by a sculptor, whose name escapes me. The design was tweaked a few times while being built, but in the end, it was a gift to the U.S. from France. It originally “may” have been intended to be designed and built for another cause, but the final chapter reads that it was a gift from France to the U.S.
It’s the history between when it was started and until it was completed and delivered that has been very seldom mentioned . But, the fact does remain that it was a gift from France to the U.S. Children in elementary schools are still being taught that much.