The Face of Freedom: LIFE Portraits of the Statue of Liberty

2 minute read

LIFE magazine once offered some thoughts on the nature of Independence Day that might sound, to our modern ears, both quaint and—despite the dull, predictable snark that colors so much of contemporary culture—somehow still quite genuine:

The Fourth of July, although it originated in the hot spirit of defiance and the powder smell of revolution, is a quiet holiday. In the small cities the crowds gather beneath bunting and flags to watch their parades. In the picnic grounds the orators sweat and strain to produce three cheers for liberty. Yet everywhere . . . the crowds are in shirtsleeves and cotton dresses, relaxed, having a good, long, easy day, taking their liberty for granted, a a little embarrassed by all the fancy talk. In the cool of the evening many Americans will express their unselfconscious patriotism in the thought, “This has been a pleasant day and this is a pleasant land.” For in early July, on the nation’s birthday, the land is at its best.

Here, long after those words were written, and on the anniversary of the day the Statue of Liberty was dedicated (Oct. 28, 1886), here are photos of Lady Liberty as captured by LIFE photographers through the years.

Liz Ronk, who edited this gallery, is the Photo Editor for LIFE.com. Follow her on Twitter @lizabethronk.

 

U.S. Supreme Court Justices Pose For Group Photo
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on September 29, 2009 in Washington, DC.Dmitri Kessel—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images

Statue of Liberty, 1951.
Statue of Liberty, 1951.Margaret Bourke-White—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Statue of Liberty, 1946.
Statue of Liberty, 1946.Andreas Feininger—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Statue of Liberty, 1950.
Statue of Liberty, 1950.Margaret Bourke-White—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Statue of Liberty, 1956.
Statue of Liberty, 1956.Dmitri Kessel—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Statue of Liberty, 1951.
Statue of Liberty, 1951.Margaret Bourke-White—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Statue of Liberty, 1959.
Statue of Liberty, 1959.Stan Wayman—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Harry Belafonte speaks at a civil rights rally at the Statue of Liberty, 1960.
Harry Belafonte speaks at a civil rights rally at the Statue of Liberty, 1960.Al Fenn—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Korea's Children's Choir visits the Statue of Liberty, 1954.
Korea's Children's Choir visits the Statue of Liberty, 1954.Peter Stackpole—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Statue of Liberty, 1931.
Statue of Liberty, 1931.Pictures Inc.—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Statue of Liberty, 1961.
Statue of Liberty, 1961.Howard Sochurek—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Statue of Liberty, 1939.
Statue of Liberty, 1939.Margaret Bourke-White—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Statue of Liberty, unknown date.
Statue of Liberty, unknown date.Al Fenn—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Statue of Liberty and New York Harbor, 1939.
Statue of Liberty and New York Harbor, 1939.Margaret Bourke-White—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Statue of Liberty, 1942.
Statue of Liberty seen during World War II, 1942.Andreas Feininger—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images

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