“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

These stirring words are found engraved on the base of the Statue of Liberty. She stands tall and proud, ready to offer freedom to all those who seek it.

Dedicated on October 28th, 1886, the statue embodies the very ideal that sets America apart from all other nations in the world.

For over a century she has served as a sort of gateway to our nation. Millions of people visit her every year and she is esteemed as one of our most precious symbols. Her formal title is “Liberty Enlightening The World”.

1. Liberty’s Torch Was The Victim Of Espionage

During WWI German spies planned to destroy an American munitions depot near Jersey City. They planted explosives within its walls. The explosions wreaked havoc on buildings as far away as Time Square. Windows were blown out and debris was sent scattering. On this night, Lady Liberty was struck with debris, causing $100,000 in damages.

2. Lightning Strikes Her 600 Times Every Year

It has been estimated that every year Lady Liberty is struck by a lightning bolt 600 times. It comes as little surprise considering her height, copper material, and location in New York harbor.

3. She Lit The Way For D-Day’s Soldiers

WWII brought a particularly special moment in Liberty’s history. The United States military set up clandestine operations in the Statue’s crown during the war. And, due to blackouts across the US, Lady Liberty was not illuminated at night. It was imperative to maintain these conditions in order to prevent an enemy attack.

An exception to this was June 6, 1944. The day that “the free men of the world” marched together, accepting nothing less than victory. To symbolize Liberty’s ever vigilant flame marching with the American soldiers on D-Day, the code “dot, dot, dot, dash” was flashed from Lady Liberty’s crown. The pattern of flashes is of course morse code for the letter “V” which represented victory.

In such a perilous time in our nation’s history this symbolic act provided the hope our people desperately needed. The code could be seen from 24 miles away.

When victory finally extinguished the flames of war in Europe, Liberty’s crown once again lit up with the signal.

4. She Came Close To Never Arriving In America

As the statue was being shipped to America, the ship carrying her was almost sank in a violent storm near Portugal. Her beauty would’ve never been known by the generations of Americans who have looked to her as a symbol of all we stand for.

5. Liberty Stands Upon A Military Fort

Many people mistakenly think that the large star basin Lady Liberty stands upon was a planned part of her pedestal.

In the War of 1812, American troops built a series of military forts to protect New York Harbor from the British. Fort Wood was one of them. It is the star shaped basin that now lays the foundation for “Liberty Enlightening The World”.

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“We will not forget that liberty has here made her home; nor shall her chosen altar be neglected.”

President Grover Cleveland
in his dedication speech for the Statue of Liberty

A. M. Watson

Hebrews 13:8