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As France Prepares to Light Up the Statue of Liberty for America's 250th, Peek Into the History of the Symbol of Transatlantic Friendship
Key takeaways
- France gave the colossal monument, engineered by the designer of the Eiffel Tower, to the United States as a token of international friendship and a commemoration of the end of slavery and the American centennial.
- The French consulate announced plans for a “monumental artistic creation” centered around Lady Liberty, Agence France-Presse reports, which will be shown on ABC as part of its programming for America’s 250th anniversary.
- As Serge Duchêne reports for Euronews, the project is being fully funded by private sponsors.
The torch and part of the arm of the Statue of Liberty on display at the 1876 Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia Centennial Photographic Co. / Library of Congress The Statue of Liberty became a symbol of freedom and possibilities for immigrants passing through Ellis Island during the late 19th and early 20th centuries—so it’s fitting that she’s something of an immigrant herself. France gave the colossal monument, engineered by the designer of the Eiffel Tower, to the United States as a token of international friendship and a commemoration of the end of slavery and the American centennial. Now France is planning an elaborate light show at Liberty Island for the Fourth of July, the latest gesture in the centuries-long alliance.
The French consulate announced plans for a “monumental artistic creation” centered around Lady Liberty, Agence France-Presse reports, which will be shown on ABC as part of its programming for America’s 250th anniversary.
As Serge Duchêne reports for Euronews, the project is being fully funded by private sponsors. It’s happening in cooperation with the National Park Service, which granted authorization for the show following months of negotiations.