On October 28, 2011, people gathered on Liberty Island in New York Harbor for a special event. They celebrated the Statue of Liberty’s 125th birthday. Workers finished building the statue 125 years ago. The Statue of Liberty represents the freedom Americans share. It is also a symbol of hope for immigrants who come to the United States.
The 2011 celebration on Liberty Island began with 125 immigrants becoming United States citizens. They came from 46 different countries. Later, actress Sigourney Weaver read Emma Lazarus’s poem, “The New Colossus.” This poem honors the immigrants who have come to the United States. It is printed on the base of the Statue of Liberty. Students from the Brooklyn High School of the Arts sang a song about the Statue of Liberty. The day of celebration ended with fireworks lighting up the night sky around the statue.
In honor of the Statue of Liberty’s 125th birthday, five cameras were placed on the statue. One camera, called a “torch cam,” will give people a view of the top of the statue. It will also show them a view of New York Harbor. People can go to a website to see video from these cameras. This will let people continue to “visit” the Statue of Liberty while it is closed for repairs. Workers are making changes inside the statue to make it safer for visitors.
Image credit: ©Lucas Jackson/Reuters
Related Links
- Statue of Liberty National Monument
Learn more about the Statue of Liberty’s history and the 125th anniversary. - Lady Liberty’s Torch Cam
See live views of the Statue of Liberty, New York Harbor, the Hudson River, and the New York City skyline.
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