INFO VINE * 50 Interesting Historical Facts About The Statue of Liberty *

[Photo Courtesy of: New York Statue of Liberty / wikimediacommons.com ]
The Statue of Liberty has long represented the United States' belief in life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The statue is by far one of the most well-known monuments on the planet. Although many know of the statue's existence, little truly know much about the monument itself. Scroll through these slides to find out some very interesting facts about the Statue of Liberty that you may not have known. 

It Weighs 225 Tons

The Statue of Liberty is one of the heaviest monuments in history, to the point where different architects all around the world believe that it would be impossible to build it again in the exact same way. After all, it weighs 225 tons, which is the equivalent of 204,117 kilograms. The weight of this monument’s framework alone measures 250,000 lbs., which equates to 125 tons. 



[Photo Courtesy of: Statue of Liberty Pedestal / wikimediacommons.com ]


Different reports point out that this weight can be attributed to the Statue of Liberty’s outer construction, which uses a copper framework that is hung on steel.

Its Construction Began in France

While many believe that the Statue of Liberty was created in the United States, the truth is that its official construction began in the year 1875 in France, after French poet and political activist Edouard de Laboulaye pitched the idea of the monument’s creation as a present to America.



[Photo Courtesy of: Historypod / YouTube]


Once the monument was completed by the end of the year 1886, the pieces were put together in France in order to guarantee the Statue of Liberty’s quality, and then it was shipped in pieces to America.

The Monument has a Full Name

One of the less-known facts about the Statue of Liberty is that it actually has a full name that most people don’t know about it. 



[Photo Courtesy of: Statue of liberty / Picryl]


Believe it or not, the monument’s full name reads “Liberty Enlightening the World.” However, considering the name’s length, it was popularized as the Statue of Liberty, a name that still persists.
As reported by the New York Times, the monument owes that name to a Roman goddess named “Libertas,” which used to represent freedom in Roman mythology.

The Sculptor was Inspired by his Mother to create the Monument’s Face

For years, it was believed that the Statue of Liberty’s sculptor Frederic August Bartholdi was inspired by the face of his younger brother to create the famous face of the monument. In fact, some reports even suggested that the sculptor was inspired by the love he felt for a married woman and the frustration of not being able to have a family with her. 



[Photo Courtesy of: Statue of Liberty New York / Pixabay]


However, many historians have confirmed that Bartholdi actually modeled the Statue of Liberty’s features based on his mother.

The Current Torch of the Monument is a Replica

Despite the fact many people believe that the torch is the Statue of Liberty’s most important element, the truth is that the one it currently holds is nothing more than a replica.



[Photo Courtesy of: Statue of Liberty Torch / Pixy.org]


After all, the original one, which was also created in the 19th Century, had to be replaced in the year 1984 because of severe damages it suffered from weather conditions. The new replica features a new flame design over the original one, which is currently in New York’s Liberty Museum.

The Monument has 16 Vertical Tension Bars

Among the different elements that make the Statue of Liberty a piece of art in architectural terms, one of the most outstanding is the fact that it has 16 tension bars that are vertically stretched over 60 feet from the top of the pedestal. The reason why this has been unanimously praised is that is quite difficult to achieve in such a tall structure.



[Photo Courtesy of: The B1M / YouTube]


On the tension bars, there are tightened bolts which were constructed so it could create equal stress to pull the monument down to the pedestal.  

The Monument’s Color is Because of Natural Weathering

Given the fact that the Statue of Liberty’s outer layer was made of pure copper, its original color was a copper brown tint that can be seen in several pictures. However, the exposure to different weather patterns made the outer layer to create a copper carbonate called a patina over the years.



[Photo Courtesy of: Statue of Liberty original Color, Picryl]


This strange phenomenon happened for three decades after the Statue of Liberty was finally established in New York City, which eventually gave the monument its famous green color.

There are 20 Stories Worth of Stairs to Reach the Crown Balcony

In case you’re planning to visit the Statue of Liberty and climb up to the famous observation deck in its crown, it is worth knowing there are 20 stories worth of stairs that you will have to climb in order to make this happen.



[Photo Courtesy of: Spiral Stair Case / wikimediacommons.com ]


Given this situation, it is known that the Statue of Liberty’s staff always warns the visitors to be in a good physical condition before climbing the stairs, since there have been cases in which many people pass out before reaching the balcony.

Laboulaye hoped that the Monument would Inspire France to Fight for Democracy

Different historians revealed that Edouard de Laboulaye had hoped that upon the Statue of Liberty’s completion, the monument would somehow inspire his countrymen to fight for democracy. After all, liberty was considered by many intellectuals as a controversial idea in the 19th century, considering that it suggested violence and revolution. 



[Photo Courtesy of: The B1M / YouTube]


Despite this situation, upon inspiring his countrymen with the Statue of Liberty’s project, a middle-class uprising in France set an anti-government political movement that eventually won. He was brutally criticized for speaking out against the movement’s violence. 

Its Design was Inspired by Ancient Roman Civilization

The inspiration for the monument’s design came from the ancient Roman goddess Libertas. Moreover, historians revealed that the inspiration for the design was also taken from the legendary Colossus of Rhodes in Greece, which used to be one of the world’s Seven Wonders.



[Photo Courtesy of: Colossus of Rhodes / wikimediacommons.com ]


As reported by the Washington Post, the Statue of Liberty’s theme is also inspired by recent civilizations, which can be seen with her robe. The monument’s design is a combination of the aesthetics of different civilizations.

The Monument is Constantly Struck by Lightning

Considering the place where it’s located, the Statue of Liberty has been struck by lightning on numerous occasions since its complete establishment. Apparently, while workers and architects knew that establishing the Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island in Upper New York Bay would mean that being struck by lightning was a possibility, they didn’t know this was going to take place regularly. 



[Photo Courtesy of: Statue at Night / wikimediacommons.com ]


Different studies revealed that, on average, around 650 lightning strikes hit the Statue of Liberty every single year.

Peregrine Falcons Regularly Nests on the Monument’s Crown

The reason this was thought to be a very peculiar situation was that this bird species were considered endangered during the second half of the 20th century. In fact, experts thought at that time that the peregrine falcons would be completely extinct by the 21st century.



[Photo Courtesy of: Statue of Liberty Bird / wikimediacommons.com ]


However, the Peregrine falcons started to be spotted at the crown of the Statue of Liberty, a rarity that still persists.
Nowadays, many experts celebrate this situation as a sign that this type of bird is no longer in serious danger. 

You Have to Take a Ferry to Visit it

Currently, this is the only way to access and visit the Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island. The transport is known as the Statue Cruises ferry and is one of the most famous in New York City considering the number of tourists that visit the monument every single year.



[Photo Courtesy of: Ferry Boat, Pixabay]


These ferry lines have two different ports where those who want to visit the monument can buy tickets to access the island. These rides take an average of 20 to 25 minutes to reach the island or to return to New York City.

The Monument has a Museum in New York City

In order to explain the history of this monument to tourists and visitors, authorities in New York City decided to create a Statue of Liberty’s museum, which can be found on Liberty Island along with the monument itself. People can enter for free after buying the ticket for the ferry ride.



[Photo Courtesy of: Statue of Liberty Museum / wikimediacommons.com


Inside this museum, tourists and visitors can see the Statue of Liberty’s original torch, which was used in the last years of the 19th century. In addition, the museum has a theater that plays a short movie about the monument’s interiors.

It Functioned as a Lighthouse

One of the lesser-known facts about the Statue of Liberty is that in addition to being a monument that represents freedom in the United States, it was originally going to function as a lighthouse for docking boats at the New York City’s ports. Believe it or not, the structure was actually able to act as a lighthouse for nearly two decades until it underwent reconstruction.



[Photo Courtesy of: Image by Greg Reese from Pixabay ]


Following this situation, the structure wasn’t able to work as a lighthouse anymore, considering that the replica torch couldn’t emit the proper light.

You can take a tour to see the Monument

Given the fact that the Statue of Liberty is the most famous monument in New York City, different companies have been offering tour packages of the monument in their itineraries for decades. In fact, their itineraries also include visits to Ellis Island.



[Photo Courtesy of: Statue of Liberty Attraction / wikimediacommons.com ]


The outstanding element is that over the last few years visitors can also take these tours at their own pace, as a self-guided headset is always provided with the ticket. Of course, this tour package allows you to avoid long lines.

There are Replicas in Different French Cities

Considering the diplomatic relations between France and the United States when the Statue of Liberty was being constructed, there were several replicas distributed all over France as a way of honoring America.



[Photo Courtesy of: Image by Jason Dexter from Pixabay ]


The most famous is definitely the one located in the entrance hall of the Musee d’Orsay in Paris, which was created by Bartholdi on the occasion of the Exposition Universelle in the year 1900.
Five years later, the replica was placed outside the museum in the Jardin du Luxembourg where it has stood for more than 100 years.

There are Replicas with different Designs all across Europe

Just like in France, there are many other replicas of the Statue of Liberty all across Europe. After all, the construction of and eventual establishment of this monument became so famous in Europe that many nations also wanted to establish some replicas in order to honor their relationship.



[Photo Courtesy of: Statue of Liberty Salina / wikimediacommons.com ]


However, unlike what happened in France, many of the European nations that decided to construct a replica of the Statue of Liberty used a very different design from the original. The one in Spain has a double welding torch while the one in England is white instead of green.

The Monument’s Torch has a Very Bright Light

At night, the Statue of Liberty shines powerful spotlights on its torch. It has been pointed out that the reason behind this bright light is not only to make the monument visible during the night or make it visible from long distances but also to symbolize the direction to liberty that the structure always represented.



[Photo Courtesy of: Statue of Liberty Bright Light / wikimediacommons.com ]


Experts have said that the powerful spotlights on the monument’s torch allow docking ships to navigate easier at New York City’s ports, even during delicate weather conditions.

It’s the US Monument that has appeared in the most Movies

This is definitely one of the most incredible facts about the Statue of Liberty, considering that you would see almost every single major monument of the United States in most Hollywood films since the 1940s.



[Photo Courtesy of: Image by DarkmoonArt_de from Pixabay ]


The reason behind this situation is not only because of the Statue of Liberty’s symbolism, but also the fact that most Hollywood movies are filmed in the states of California and New York.
Moreover, the location of this monument makes it easy for filmmakers to shoot some scenes.

The Spikes of the Monument’s Crown Represent the Seven Continents

Since we’re talking about a majestic monument, every single detail about the Statue of Liberty has a meaning. While many people thought for years that the seven spikes on its crown tried to symbolize divinity by representing the seven rays of the sun, the truth is that these spikes simply represent the seven continents that exist all over the world.



[Photo Courtesy of: Statue of Liberty Crown / wikimediacommons.com ]


Numerous historians in the United States have explained that the reason behind this meaning is that the monument sees liberty as a universal virtue. 

It has its Own Island

Another mind-blowing fact about the Statue of Liberty is that it has its own island, a peculiarity that just a few monuments around the world also share.



[Photo Courtesy of: Liberty Island photo D Ramey Logan / wikimediacommons.com ]


While it was initially named Bedloe’s Island, the United States House of Representatives changed its name to Liberty Island in the year 1956. It is owned by the Federal government and is always open to the public.

The island is located in the upper New York Bay area and it covers 59,560 square meters.

It receives 4 Million Visitors Each Year

As mentioned earlier, the Statue of Liberty is not only one of the most famous monuments in the United States and the world, but also the one that attracts the most tourists.
After all, official statistics show that the monument receives 4 million visitors every single year, an incredible number that amounts to an average of 11,000 visitors every single day.



[Photo Courtesy of: Liberty Island, N.Y., July 4, 2013 / US National Archives ]


Naturally, these numbers put the Statue of Liberty in the same list of the most-visited tourist attractions in the country.

The Monument is made up of Almost 400 Individual Parts put Together

During its construction in France, local authorities decided to divide the Statue of Liberty’s pieces into a total of 214 crates, which eventually arrived at the New York City’s harbor in June 1885. Despite this situation, the monument wasn’t immediately put together by the American workers until the pedestal of the entire structure was entirely constructed. 



[Photo Courtesy of: Liberty Treehouse / YouTube]


This situation forced them to take almost five months to rebuild and secure the monument in New York City, representing an architectural milestone considering the complexity of the structure.

Many People Have Used it to Commit Suicide

One of the darkest facts about the Statue of Liberty is that, because of its height, many people have used to commit suicide. However, according to a New York Magazine report, despite several attempts, only two people have died from the jump since its creation.



[Photo Courtesy of: Image by Monica Volpin from Pixabay ]


The report pointed out that one of these cases was an attempt that took place in the year 1929, while the second one was in the year 1932. All other people that committed the same act survived their fall. Ouch!

Its Head was displayed in a World’s Fair

Believe it or not, way before the monument was shipped from France to the United States, the head was first put on display in a world’s fair in the French capital of Paris.



[Photo Courtesy of: Statue of Liberty Head / Picryl]


The situation took place in the year 1878, in an exhibition where its main intention was simply to commemorate the project and the way it represented the great diplomatic relations between the United States and France.

Fortunately, the exhibition never compromised the Statue of Liberty’s construction and its eventual shipment to New York City.

It’s one of First Female Heroines in the DC Comics Universe

The Statue of Liberty’s symbolism is so incredibly inspiring for many artists that in addition to being the monument with more appearances in Hollywood movies, it was also turned into one of the first female heroines in the DC Comics Universe.



[Photo Courtesy of: DC Comics / Huginn & Muninn]


After all, the fictional character of Miss America was given superpowers by the monument itself, which granted her the ability to transmute different types of elements in order to fight against the bad guys in the most efficient manner.

Private Boats Can’t Dock at both Ellis and Liberty Island

Given the fact that both islands are owned by the United States Federal government, it is officially illegal for private boats from the country or any other part of the world to dock on these properties.



[Photo Courtesy of: Civilian boats at anchor near the Statue of Liberty / US National Archives]


Nevertheless, tourists and visitors are free to access both Ellis and Liberty Island as long as they dock using the affiliated services that authorities provide.
In addition, the bridge located on Ellis Island is also off-limits to the public considering that it can only be used by authorized personnel.

The Monument has a 35-Foot Waistline

Another mind-blowing fact about the Statue of Liberty is that each of its pieces and features were properly measured for statistical purposes both by French and American architects.



[Photo Courtesy of: Image by Pete Linforth from Pixabay ]


As reported by the New York Times, apart from the monument’s waistline being 35 feet wide, some other details include the measurement of its mouth, eyes, and nose as well.
The reason behind this decision was to record every single statistic in case of a major incident that could somehow damage the monument’s structure.

The Monument’s spine was designed by the man behind the Eiffel Tower

Given the fact that the Statue of Liberty is a French creation, it was not surprising that legendary Gustave Eiffel wanted to be part of the project and exploit his knowledge and experience in this monument.



[Photo Courtesy of: The B1M / YouTube]


According to New York Magazine, Eiffel, who was already famous for the creation of the Eiffel Tower, contributed greatly to the Statue of Liberty’s design which forms its main support system. This one is made up of four different iron pillars that support the metal framework.

More than 300 Different Hammers were Used to make the Copper Structure

The team that constructed and established the Statue of Liberty in New York City used over 300 different types of hammers. The reason? Because in order to get each of the monuments’ details to feature in the most aesthetic and precise manner, it is imperative to use different types of hammers, even when this would make construction slower. 



[Photo Courtesy of: The B1M / YouTube]


According to different reports from the Washington Post and Los Angeles Times, most of the people who were part of this construction were immigrants.

Laboulaye Said the Monument was a Celebration of the Union’s Victory

Although the reason behind the Statue of Liberty’s construction in France was simply to honor the diplomatic relationship between them and the United States, different historians revealed an interesting fact a couple of decades ago.



[Photo Courtesy of: The B1M / YouTube]


Apparently, while he never said it in public, Laboulaye told his closest friends that the Statue of Liberty was being created for the United States as a gift from French authorities to celebrate the union’s victory and the abolition of slavery in the country.

There are 25 Windows in its Crown

One of the most common misconceptions about the Statue of Liberty is that its crown has 30 windows or more. This idea became quite popular in the 1970s, with some people still believing in it.



[Photo Courtesy of: View from Crown / wikimediacommons.com ]


The monument only has 25 windows in its crown, which symbolize the 25 different gemstones that have been found on this planet over the last few centuries. These gemstones also hold a very significant meaning in myths and rituals of different civilizations.

High Winds can make it sway Some Inches

Over the last few decades, different experts have been pointing out that winds that measure 52 mph or more can literally cause the monument to sway up to three inches to the side. This also happens with the Statue of Liberty’s torch, which can also sway up to six inches in strong winds, representing a delicate situation that has forced local authorities to take the proper measures.



[Photo Courtesy of: Image by Pete Linforth from Pixabay ]


Of course, while many believe that the monument could fall in case of a major hurricane, its support system makes this impossible.

The Crown can Host 240 People

One of the most interesting details about the Statue of Liberty is its crown. It is such a large size that it can host 240 people at a time, which is the number that the National Park Service allows. However, this is also the limit of people that are allowed to visit the crown each day.



[Photo Courtesy of: Statue of Liberty Crown / wikimediacommons.com ]


Sometimes the National Park Service allows the 240 people to enter in groups of 10, ensuring the safety of each of these groups while making sure that the crown is in the proper conditions.

It has Been Closed Down to Public Several Times

While this is one of the few monuments in the United States that almost never closed its doors to the public, to the point in which it has remained open in some delicate periods of time, the truth is that this situation has occurred on some occasions.



[Photo Courtesy of: Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay ]


Most of these have been during extreme weather conditions in New York City, not because it represented a problem for the monument, but to protect visitors.
The Statue of Liberty has also closed down following the events of the September 11th incident in the year 2001.

The Monument’s Cost was Covered by the United States and France

While the Statue of Liberty was created by France in order to honor the country’s relationship with the United States, the truth is that the cost of this monument was covered by both nations in the year 1885.



[Photo Courtesy of: The B1M / YouTube]


As reported by Business Insider, building and assembling the Statue of Liberty cost in total nearly $110 million. We’re talking about an extraordinary amount of money at that time, considering that it would currently represent the equivalent of $5.4 billion.

It’s the Tallest Structure in New York City

While New York City is known for having some of the biggest buildings in the United States and the world, the truth is that the Statue of Liberty is not only the most famous monument this city has but also its tallest structure.



[Photo Courtesy of: Image by Dan Carvalho from Pixabay ]


Believe it or not, the Statue of Liberty stands at 305.5 feet tall from the ground to the tip of the torch. This makes it taller than every single building that has been constructed in the city.

The Monument’s Lights Once Flashed a Morse Code for the letter V

One of the most memorable moments is when the Statue of Liberty showed the way it represents freedom and democracy and it took place in 1944. It happened soon after the invasion of Europe when the lights found in the monument’s crown suddenly started to flash a morse code repeatedly. Experts found out that the code in question was blinking repeatedly the letter “V” of the English alphabet to stand for victory.



[Photo Courtesy of: Statue of Liberty Light / wikimediacommons.com ]


It was later revealed that the whole message of that morse code was spelling out “Victory in Europe.”

It has no Relationship with New Jersey

Naturally, this has always been quite shocking considering that the Statue of Liberty is way closer to the state of New Jersey than in New York territory.



[Photo Courtesy of: New Jersey City / wikimediacommons.com ]


However, US President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed the Presidential Proclamation of 2250, which officially stated that the Statue of Liberty was part of the state of New York instead of the state of New Jersey.

On the other hand, while the monument is formally located in New York City, Liberty Island is officially owned by the United States Federal government.

The Monument’s Feet have a Powerful Symbolism

While it is a little bit difficult to see the Statue of Liberty’s feet, the truth is that this part of the structure is probably the one with the most powerful symbolism, along with the crown and the torch.



[Photo Courtesy of: The Finest / YouTube]


After all, the feet of this monument is standing among a broken shackle and chains, with the Statue of Liberty’s right foot raised.
According to different historians, these details about the monument’s feet represent a move forward away from slavery and oppression.

It’s a Symbol of immigration

In addition to freedom, democracy, and liberty, the monument is also a symbol of immigration in the United States. According to the New York Times, this particular symbolism is the reason why the Statue of Liberty is so important for New York City, considering that this place has a large immigrant population.



[Photo Courtesy of: Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island / wikimediacommons.com ]


The monument was started to be seen this way during the second half of the 19th century, not only because of the number of immigrants who were part of its establishment but also because it was the first thing many immigrants saw when arriving by boat.

It is also called “The New Colossus”

While the most famous nickname of the Statue of Liberty is definitely “Lady Liberty,” another famous nickname that the monument has is “The New Colossus.” After all, this is the name of a sonnet that American poet Emma Lazarus wrote about the monument in the year 1883, celebrating the way it represented some of the greatest virtues the United States was fighting for.



[Photo Courtesy of: The New Colossus / wikimediacommons.com


The sonnet became so famous that authorities decided to engrave it on a bronze plaque and place it inside the lower level of the Statue of Liberty’s pedestal 20 years later.

The Tablet has the date of the American Independence

Another major detail of the Statue of Liberty, in addition to the crown, the torch, and its feet, is definitely the tablet that it holds in the left arm. The date of the Declaration of the United States’ Independence is inscribed on the tablet in Roman numerals, being JULY IV MDCCLXXVI, which stands for July 4th, 1776.



[Photo Courtesy of: Image by Kay Gregan from Pixabay ]


Different historians have been pointing out this date was the first detail that French architects and designers thought of when creating the monument, considering the importance it has on American history.

The Monument Could have been Placed in Boston or Philadelphia

Believe it or not, the Statue of Liberty could have been placed in Philadelphia or Boston instead of New York City, which would have represented a major change in the United States’ modern history.



[Photo Courtesy of: Boston Skyline / wikimediacommons.com ]


After all, different reports revealed that the monument was already quite famous in the country before it arrived, prompting a delicate situation in which several groups in the states of Massachusetts and Pennsylvania were offering to pay the entire cost of its construction in return for its relocation. 

It’s a World Heritage Site

The UNESCO inscribed the Statue of Liberty as a Culture site in the year 1984. The agency pointed out it took this decision after explaining that the monument represented a masterpiece of the human spirit thanks to the way it symbolized some of the greatest human virtues.



[Photo Courtesy of: UNESCO Headquarters / The Globe Post]


In addition, the UNESCO said that another significant reason was the way the Statue of Liberty represented a “technological wonder” is because it combined art and engineering in a way that was never seen before.

It was one of Andy Warhol’s Main Inspirations

In addition to having thousands of appearances in Hollywood movies and playing a significant role in one of the most famous comics of the DC Universe, it was also the main inspiration of some of the greatest American artists, especially Andy Warhol.



[Photo Courtesy of: Andy Warhol / Picryl ]


After all, the so-called “God” of the visual art movement known as pop art painted the monument in a painting called Statue of Liberty in the 1960s. This work is currently estimated to be worth between $35 million and $40 million.

President Grover Cleveland Oversaw the Monument’s Dedication

During a political rally celebrated in September 1886, the United States President Grover Cleveland oversaw the dedication of the Statue of Liberty in front of thousands of American spectators.



[Photo Courtesy of: President Grover Cleveland statue of liberty / wikimediacommons.com ]


The reason was why this monument was so famous before coming to America was due to the fact that different politicians were already praising the monument and the way it would become one of the greatest structures in America. Of course, President Grover Cleveland was one.

Its Trip to America was Chaotic

Another fact about the Statue of Liberty that many people ignore is that everything related to its trip to the United States was absolute chaos.



[Photo Courtesy of: The B1M / YouTube]


It started on July 4th, 1884 when it was officially completed and presented to the US ambassador in Paris since French authorities proposed to ship it at that same time. Of course, many disagree considering the logistics involved in such an operation.

Once the vessel carrying the Statue of Liberty finally left France for the United States a year later, it almost sank because of a storm. In fact, the trip took a week longer than expected. 

The Weather Ruined its Inauguration Day

The official installation of the Statue of Liberty in New York City was on October 28th, 1886. Local authorities were expecting this day with so much enthusiasm that a major act was prepared to celebrate such a historic moment.



[Photo Courtesy of: Fireworks Display / Picryl ]


However, the weather was so bad that day that a planned fireworks display couldn’t take place because of the strong winds. In fact, there were fewer people than expected because of heavy rains.
Despite this situation, President Grover Cleveland attended the event and gave one of his most famous speeches.

People Use To Live on Liberty Island 

While Liberty Island is owned by the United States Federal government, people lived there for years. In fact, this was a very popular place to live in New York when it was Bedloe Island until the year 1956.



[Photo Courtesy of: Liberty Island / wikimediacommons.com ]


With the passage of time, fewer people decided to move to Liberty Island while those that were already living there were slowly relocating to other parts of the city.
The island was officially inhabitant for the first time in two centuries in 2014 when the superintendent of the Statue of Liberty National monument David Luchsinger retired.