Lady Liberty has been greeting immigrants and confusing tourists since 1886. But here's what they don't tell you on the boat ride over: The statue was originally meant for Egypt. That's right - she was designed to stand at the entrance of the Suez Canal as a robed Egyptian peasant woman holding a torch.
When Egypt said 'no thanks' (budget issues, apparently even pharaohs have them), sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi pivoted and offered her to America instead. Talk about being someone's second choice.
The statue arrived in 350 pieces packed in 214 crates. Like the world's most patriotic IKEA furniture. And her famous green color? That's oxidation, baby. She was originally the color of a shiny penny. Took about 20 years for her to go full Statue of Liberty green.
Oh, and those broken chains at her feet? They represent freedom from oppression. Most people never notice them because, well, have you tried looking at feet from a boat?
