Dear Kid,

Did you know that the real name of The Statue of Liberty is Liberty Enlightening the World? Neither did I.

Did you know Ms. Liberty is made of copper? Of course you did. That’s why she’s green. (Not because she’s really a frog. Even though she was made by frogs. Get it?)

Did you know she’s a goddess? The Roman goddess Libertas (goddess of freedom). And she’s not holding a book, she’s holding a tabula ansata (tablet evoking the law). And upon said tabula ansata is the date July 4, 1776 (penalty points if you don’t recognize the date). The torch she’s holding gets hit by about 600 bolts of lightning every year.

Did you know there’s a broken chain at her feet? No, not an ankle bracelet. Broken shackles and chains. Also, her right foot is raised, depicting her moving forward away from oppression and slavery.

Did you know that her nose is almost (but not quite) as tall as I am? This is more a statement about the bigness of her nose than it is about the shortness of your mother.

The seven spikes on the crown represent the seven oceans and the seven continents of the world, indicating the universal concept of liberty. She was a lighthouse from 1886 to 1902, and could be seen by boats over 24 miles away.

Try not to climb Miss L during a storm. In high winds, she sways by up to 3 inches, and her torch can move 5 inches. Not for the faint of heart.

Now you know.

Love, Mom