Cultural Artifact

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Cultural Artifacts
The Statue of Liberty is one of the American greatest artifacts, sitting on 12-acre Liberty Island which is located in New York Harbor. It is a national monument that has represented the American freedom, suffering and financial hardship for several immigrants since 1800s. The artifact was given to the US by the French as a gift that marked the centennial of Independence. The artifact appears tiny the Brooklyn Bridge, but at a close range, it is an impressive figure. “The 450,000-pound artifact is 305 feet, 6 inches, with the face measuring more than 8 feet tall. There are 154 steps from the pedestal to the head, and the figure has a 35-foot waistline” (Richard N.p). The monument reads JULY IV MDCCLXXVI, which means July 4th, 1776. The green coloring of the Statue is due to weather conditions’ effects on copper.

The Statue of Liberty is located in a historical place where immigrants pass when coming to the US from overseas. It shows Americans as well as immigrants that had dreams of living better lives that they are finally here start over (Gates 56). The statue is symbolic considering its physical features that have meaning. For instance, the broken shackles symbolize the breaking away from oppression and tyranny, and the seven rays on the crown represent the seven continents that exist on Earth. The statue is a highly recognizable symbol not only in the US but rather in the entire world. For centuries, it has been one of the very first glances of the US for many visitors and immigrants after ocean voyages.

The Artifact is synonymous with American ideals as well as the culture of freedom, equality, and democracy. It isn’t only a cultural inspiration to citizens of other nations but also to Americans.
Work Cited
Gates, Henry. In The Kitchen. 2nd ed. New York: The New Yorker, 2006. Print.
Richard, Cicely. “A Description of the Statue of Liberty.” Traveltips.usatoday.com. N.p., 2018. Web. 4 June 2018.