America 250: David Muir climbs up to the Statue of Liberty's torch
Summary
David Muir, anchor of "World News Tonight," climbed to the torch of the Statue of Liberty as part of ABC News' special coverage celebrating America’s 250th birthday. The statue, a gift from France in 1886, welcomed millions of immigrants arriving through Ellis Island, and ABC News is marking the anniversary with 24 hours of programming.Key Facts
- David Muir climbed inside the Statue of Liberty up to its torch, which is over 300 feet above ground.
- The Statue of Liberty was a gift from France in 1886 and welcomed over 12 million immigrants during the Ellis Island immigration years (1892–1954).
- ABC News is broadcasting "Disney Celebrates America," a 24-hour event covering all 50 states to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States.
- Around 40% of Americans can trace their family history back to immigrants who entered through Ellis Island.
- The original torch was replaced in the 1980s due to damage; the old torch is now in the museum on Liberty Island.
- David Muir spoke with Tony Soraci, who helped restore the statue in the 1980s and is the grandson of Italian immigrants.
- Inside the statue, the copper sheets are very thin and held together by rivets.
- French sculptor Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi designed the statue so that immigrants arriving in New York Harbor would see Lady Liberty’s face first.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
