1

Her Real Name

Image: Gautam Krishnan

You might have always known it as the Statue of Liberty, and you wouldn’t be wrong. After all, that is, in fact, her name. However, that is not her only name.

Her official name is "La Liberté éclairant le monde", which is French for "Liberty Englightning the World."

The meaning is clear and it was a name given by its designers and builders. The nickname "Statue of Liberty" has become widely and universally popular, but the full title highlights the deeper meaning and global significance of this monument.

2

The Tallest Structure of America

Image: Annie Spratt

Back in 1886, after the statue was finally completed, it didn’t just become a symbol of democracy, it was an engineering marvel that claimed the title of tallest structure in the United States. Standing at an impressive 151 feet, 1 inch tall, Lady Liberty dominated the skyline.

If you’ve never been able to fully grasp how tall it is, imagine a 15-story building. Now, add the pedestal and you’ll get the towering presence it embodies in New York today.

How was this possible? Thanks to the innovative use of iron framework and copper sheathing and the brains of Frederic Auguste Bartholdi and Gustave Eiffel. Yes, you got the latter right, and here comes our third fact.

3

It was designed by Gustave Eiffel

Image: Dmitrii Eliuseev

The genius behind the Statue of Liberty is the same behind the Eiffel Tower, in Paris. Talk about a creative mind, huh?

Eiffel designed the statue’s "spine" , an internal framework that supports the entire structure. Inside the statue, four massive iron columns form the backbone, holding up the intricate metal frame that supports the thin copper skin. This innovative design not only provided the necessary stability for the statue but also allowed it to withstand strong winds and harsh weather conditions.

Naturally, Eiffel’s expertise in structural engineering was pivotal in bringing Lady Liberty to life, ensuring she would stand tall for centuries to come.

4

Red or Green? Actually, Both

Image: Oleg Chursin

When the Statue of Liberty was unveiled**, it wasn’t the green-blue color we know and love today**. Instead, it gleamed with a shiny reddish-brown hue, much like a newly American penny. Made entirely of copper, the statue initially dazzled spectators with its vibrant metallic sheen.

Then, over the course of the next two decades, Lady Liberty underwent a dramatic transformation. The Statue gradually turned green as the copper oxidized and formed a protective layer known as patina . Considering this is the natural weathering process of copper, this was hardly a surprise, but the visual change was nonetheless striking. The patina not only gives the statue its iconic color, it also works as a protective coat from further corrosion.

5

Motherly Inspiration

Image: Tory Bishop

The Statue, designed also by the French sculptor Auguste Bartholdi, carries a touching personal tribute within its grand design. Bartholdi modeled the face of Lady Liberty after his mother, Charlotte.

This heartfelt gesture essentially makes the Statue of Liberty one of the most monumental Mother’s Day gifts ever. By immortalizing his mother’s likeness in such an iconic figure, Bartholdi not only honored her but also ensured that her image would forever be associated with the ideals of freedom and hope. Can you top that?

6

One-way Ticket to America

Image: ALEJANDRO POHLENZ

We all know this American landmark was a gift from the French to the Americans, right? Now, the gift took over a year to get where it is today.

The Statue was completed and presented to the U.S. ambassador in France on July 4th, 1884. But it didn’t get to America until a year later, in 1885. It was then disassembled into 300 pieces, carefully packed into 214 crates, and shipped across the Atlantic Ocean to be put together again.

The voyage took a week longer than expected, and the vessel carrying the one-ton statue nearly sank during a fierce storm. Despite the challenges, Lady Liberty safely arrived in New York, where it was reassembled and unveiled to the public, marking the beginning of its iconic presence in American history.

7

The Lady’s Tablet

Image: Koushalya Karthikeyan

One of the most distinctive features of the Statue of Liberty is the tablet she holds in her left hand. This tablet is not just a symbolic object, it carries a significant inscription that connects the statue to the core of American history . Crafted from copper, the tablet bears the inscription "JULY IV MDCCLXXVI," the Roman version of July 4, 1776.

This is of course the date that marks the adoption of the American Declaration of Independence, so the inscription serves as a constant reminder of the nation’s fight for independence and the values of democracy.

Is there a reason this is a tablet? Yes, it symbolizes the lay and the founding principles.

8

Changes in the Torch

Image: Mateus Maia

The Statue of Liberty wasn’t only a symbolic figure, in the beginning, it also served a practical purpose: It was a lighthouse. This was its original intent. Off to a rocky start, and considering how new the electrical systems were, the lighthouse only became operational by the end of 1886.

Between 1886 and 1901, the torch would guide ships safely into New York Harbor. However, the lighthouse function was short-lived as it was deemed "useless for navigation purposes." Despite the noble intentions behind the initiative, control of the Lighthouse was given to the War Board, and, by 1902, the Lighthouse became extinguished.

Today, the torch is nothing less than a 24K gold flame standing tall and iconic.

9

Seven Spikes

Image: Erik Lindgren

Have you ever noticed the crown? Of course, you have, but have you ever considered that the seven spikes were intentional ? Not a single thing in the design of the Statue of Liberty was random.

These seven spikes have a profound meaning: they represent the seven seas in the world. Now, even if this was a gift to America for its independence, the Statue represents universal freedom. Therefore, the welcoming aura of the crown and the seven spikes stand for a global search for liberty, freedom, and equality.

10

One Step in the Path of Freedom

Image: A n v e s h

If you pay close attention to the Lady’s feet, you will notice that her right foot is raised. Now, if we could lift the dress just a tad, we would notice that she walks among broken shackles and chains.

This powerful imagery symbolizes the statue’s message of moving forward from oppression and toward freedom. The broken chains also represent the end of servitude, highlighting the statue’s role as a beacon of hope for those seeking a new beginning. She is not standing still, she is taking a step forward, always in a continuous journey. Quite a picture to welcome the visitors, right?

1

Lincoln (Daniel Day-Lewis)

Image: Maarten Brakkee

Legendary method actor Daniel Day-Lewis definitively had big shoes to fill when he portrayed our 16th President. And we mean that quite literally: Historians believe that Lincoln had the largest feet of any U.S. President in history. In any case, Day-Lewis stood up to the task and his acting prowess earned him both an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for Best Actor.

Directed by Steven Spielberg, Lincoln focuses on the year 1885 and President Lincoln’s struggles to abolish slavery. Famously, Day-Lewis requested everyone on the filming set to only refer to him as "Mr. President" or "Mr. Lincoln", in order to immerse himself in the role.

2

Jackie Kennedy (Natalie Portman)

Image: Cornelia Ng

Pablo Larrain’s 2016 film Jackie depicts the life of former First Lady Jaqueline Kennedy, both during her time at the White House and after the assassination of President Kennedy. Natalie Portman does an outstanding job in her role as Jackie, portraying her characteristic charm and quiet strength.

The film was nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Actress for Portman. Although she ultimately lost the Oscar to Emma Stone’s character in La La Land , movie critics acclaimed Natalie’s performance.

3

Johnny Cash (Joaquin Phoenix)

Image: Dominik Scythe

Few musicians have the mysterious and fabled aura as " The Man in Black ", but American actor Joaquin Phoenix was able to faithfully portray Johnny Cash’s gritty character in the 2005 biopic Walk the Line . Directed by James Mangold, this film focuses on Cash’s rise to fame and turbulent career, as well as his relationship with singer June Carter, wonderfully played by Reese Witherspoon.

Phoenix and Witherspoon’s acting was universally praised by film critics, and they both received Best Actor and Actress nominations at the Oscars. While only Witherspoon won the Academy Award, this film remains an impressive highlight in Joaquin Phoenix’s career.

4

John Nash (Russell Crowe)

Image: Roman Mager

Ron Howard’s 2001 film A Beautiful Mind depicts the life of American mathematician and Nobel Laureate John Nash. Russell Crowe does a wonderful job portraying this brilliant American’s life, representing both his brilliance as well as his struggles with mental health.

While the film was based on a 1998 biography by Sylvia Nasar, Howard’s spin on Nash’s life results in a daunting yet inspiring movie. A Beautiful Mind received several nominations at the Academy Awards, winning four Oscars that included "Best Picture" and "Best Director".

5

Mark Zuckerberg (Jessee Eisenberg)

Image: Deeksha Pahariya

David Fincher’s 2010 movie The Social Network took on the formidable task of depicting the rise of the world’s largest social media company as well as the legal battles between two former best friends. Actor Jesse Eisenberg amazingly plays two sides of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, both as a 19-year-old college student and as the CEO of one of the biggest companies in the world.

While many critiqued the movie’s lack of historical accuracy, Eisenberg’s portrayal was almost universally praised, earning the then-young actor his first nomination for an Academy Award.

6

Truman Capote (Phillip Seymour Hoffman)

Image: CHUTTERSNAP

Truman Capote is revered as one of the greatest authors in American history: His groundbreaking book In Cold Blood is credited as starting the genre of non-fiction literature. The 2005 film Capote is a deep-dive into this author’s investigation into the murders that inspired this iconic book, as well as his interviews with Perry Smith, one of the criminals.

Phillip Seymour Hoffman’s inspiring portrayal of Capote is considered one of the peak performances of this amazing actor’s outstanding career. Hoffman earned a well-deserved Oscar for Best Actor, while the film was nominated in four other categories.

7

Howard Hughes (Leonardo Di Caprio)

Image: Rafael Garcin

Martin Scorsese is certainly a Hollywood legend: Few movie directors have such an incredible filmmaking record as he does. We could have chosen from many iconic Scorsese biopics (including Robert De Niro’s astounding performance in Raging Bull ), but we ultimately chose his depiction of American business magnate and pilot, Howard Hughes .

In that regard, Leonardo Di Caprio’s impressive range allowed him to portray the life of this American legend, faithfully representing both his business acumen as well as his fight against obsessive-compulsive disorder.

8

Muhammad Ali (Will Smith)

Image: Johann Walter Bantz

You might be surprised to learn that the 2001 film Ali , which depicts the life of the most famous American boxer in history, was a huge box office failure. However, this film was beloved by movie critics, particularly due to Will Smith’s outstanding performance as Muhammad Ali.

The film focuses on most turning points in Ali’s remarkable career, from his first heavyweight title win to his iconic "Rumble in the Jungle" fight against George Foreman. Will Smith was nominated for Best Actor at the 2001 Academy Awards, while Jon Voight’s portrayal of a journalist received a Best Supporting Actor nomination.

9

Charlie Chaplin (Robert Downey Jr.)

Image: Olesia Libra

Now, we know what you are thinking: Why is British legendary actor Charlie Chaplin in this list of American biopics? While it is true that Chaplin was not born in the United States, he was instrumental in building the American film industry, and his films are still revered as icons of our country’s culture. In that regard, Robert Downey Jr’s performance in the 1992 film Chaplin serves as a magnificent tribute to this Hollywood legend.

Directed by Richard Attenborough, this film also stars Chaplin’s daughter , Geraldine Chaplin, who portrays the actor’s mother. While Chaplin wasn’t a huge blockbuster, Downey Jr’s portrayal of the silent actor was particularly well-received.

10

Ray Charles (Jamie Fox)

Image: Andrik Langfield

We’ll end this article with one of America’s most iconic voices. American actor Jamie Foxx got in the skin of iconic musician Ray Charles in the 2004 film Ray . Directed by Taylor Hackford, this film focuses on Charles’ troubled youth and rise to fame, as well as his tragic sight loss.

Foxx’s amazing portrayal of the insanely talented Ray fooled audiences everywhere: Many to this day believe that the actor was actually singing in the film. Foxx was able to convincingly adopt Charles’ mannerisms and habits, which earned him his first Academy Award for Best Actor.