DISCUSSION TOPIC: STATUE OF LIBERTY
The Primary Question
How has the Statue of Liberty become a focal point since its origins for an on-going conversation between Americans and non-Americans alike on such issues as the meaning of liberty and its relationship to revolution; the state of freedom or its lack thereof in the United States; the role of immigration in American society; and the place of the United States on the world stage? Highlight one or more aspects of this history of the statue as symbol and offer your analysis and comments.
Other Questions
Find historic examples in which the Statue of Liberty has become a symbol of debate or conflict. Offer your analysis of one or more of these moments of controversy.
What else is most interesting about the history of the Statue of Liberty?
Possible Starting Places
"The
Statue Of Liberty: 127 Years At America's Gateway,"
Atlantic (July 5, 2013).
David Glassberg, "Rethinking The Statue Of Liberty: Old Meanings, New Contexts," (December 2003).
Statue Of Liberty -- Wikipedia:
An entry from the on-line encyclopedia.
"The
Statue Of Liberty,"
PBS: Ken Burns's full-length 1985 documentary feature on the history of
the monument.
Web-Sites
Emma Lazarus And Her Vision, Digital History: A brief introduction to the author of the statue's famous inscription.
History Of The Statue Of Liberty: Part of the web-site of the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Foundation, Inc.
"I Glanced Up -- The Statue Of Liberty!": Emma Goldman Describes Her Deportation In The Era Of The Red Scare, History Matters:
Statue Of Liberty -- A Transatlantic Story,
Yale University Press:
Statue Of Liberty -- Early History Of The Island: A brief 1961 introduction from the Liberty State Park web-site.
Statue Of Liberty Mini Unit Study, Learning Through History:
Statue Of Liberty National Monument (U.S. National Park Service):
Video Sources
"History Of The Statue Of Liberty," C-Span Video Library, May 2, 2012: A one-hour interview with author Edward Berenson.
Articles
Dean Mosher, "Wilbur
Wright And The Statue Of Liberty,"
Smithsonian Air And Space Magazine (January 2014).
"A Symbol Of Freedom: The Statue Of Liberty," JD Journal (December 20, 2013).
"Rare Photos Of The Statue Of Liberty Being Built In 1883," Twisted Sifter (May 22, 2013).
Sarah Goodyear, "Secrets Of The Statue Of Liberty," New York.Com (March 25, 2013).
Cyriaque Lamar, "Old
Photos Of The Statue Of Liberty Standing In Paris Were Extraordinarily Surreal,"
I09 (June 21, 2012).
Harry K. Charles, Jr., "Statue Of Liberty: Its History, Symbolism And Stamps," Washington Collectors' Club (November 2, 2011).
Mallie Jane Kim, "Statue Of Liberty Turns 125; Old Immigration Attitudes Alive As Well," US News And World Report (October 28, 2011).
Randy James, "A Brief History Of The Statue Of Liberty," Time (May 12, 2009).
Kevin Kelly, "Movies
That Smash The Statue Of Liberty,"
I09 (December 11, 2007).
Peter Skerry, "Mother Of Invention," Wilson Quarterly, 30 (Summer 2006): 44-47.
Kathy Evertz, "The 1986 Statue Of Liberty Centennial: 'Commercialization' And Reaganism," Journal Of Popular Culture, 29 (Winter 1995): 203-224.
F. Ross Holland, Jr. "The Rebirth Of Ellis Island," National Parks, 64 (November/December 1990): 11-12.
Statue Of Liberty In The News
"Lady Liberty Re-Opens: The Long-Awaited Reopening Of The Statue Of Liberty," ABC News.
John Rizzo, "Will Climate Change Swamp The Statue Of Liberty And Ellis Island?," National Geographic News, December 26, 2013.
Elizabeth A. Harris, "A
Magical Isle Loses The Last Of Its Residents,"
New York Times, October 7, 2013.
Sophie Christie, "Statue
Of Liberty: 50 Fascinating Facts,"
Telegraph, July 4, 2013.
"Photos: Statue Of Liberty's Illustrious History," CNN, July 3, 2013.
"In
Pictures: Statue Of Liberty,"
BBC News, October 28, 2011.
"Oct.
28, 1886: Statue Of Liberty Is Unveiled,"
New York Times Learning Network (October 28, 2011).
Liz Robbins and Colin Moynihan, "At
Pinnacle Of Liberty, Feeling A Bit Confined,"
New York Times, July 4, 2009.
Edward Berenson, "Op-Ed Contributor: A Gift From France, To France," New York Times, July 3, 2008.
Caleb Crain, "Mother
Of Exile," New York
Times, December 31, 2006.
Edward T. O'Donnell, "Bring
Us Your Tired, Your Poor. Or Don't,"
New York Times, May 7, 2006.
Glenn Collins, "Cracks Found In The Myths Around Statue; Park Service Librarian Writes Book To Clarify Lady Liberty's Origins," New York Times, October 28, 2000.
"New Insight Into Statue Of Liberty's History," World Today, ABC, February 10, 2000.
Audio Sources
"Meet The One Man Still Making Those Little Statue Of Liberty Replicas," PRI's The World, December 17, 2013.
"Two
Brothers Remember Lives Spent With Liberty,"
Morning Story, NPR, July 5, 2013.
"The
Statue Of Liberty,"
In Our Time, BBC Radio 4 (February 14, 2008).
