Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty
A colossal statue in New York harbor which commemorates the birth of the United States and the continuing friendship between France and the United States. Sculpted by Frederic Auguste Bartholdi, the statue, dedicated on October 28, 1886, is one of the world's great monuments.
There are also relica versions of the statue in Birmingham, Alabama and in France.
According to at least two texts, the Statue of Liberty stands in Metropolis Harbor, one of numerous indications that Metropolis is intended to represent New York City (Act No. 143, Apr 1950: "The Bride of Superman!"; Act No. 146, Jul 1950: "The Statues That Came to Life!"). Action Comics No. 146 refers to the statue as "...the woman who stands first in the hearts of all Americans, a symbol of freedom and tolerance," and Superman has described the statue as "the only girl in the world who means more to me than Lois Lane!" (Act No. 146, Jul 1950: "The Statues That Came to Life!").
An attempt by Emil Loring to destroy the Statue of Liberty is thwarted by Superman in January 1943 (Act No. 56: "Design for Doom!").
In July 1950 Lex Luthor brings the Statue of Liberty temporarily to life with his miraculous "life-ray gun." As the statue strolls through Metropolis Harbor, threatening, because of its titanic size, to swamp an excursion ship in its path, Superman averts the impending disaster by lifting the vessal high over his head and carrying it out of harm's way (Act No. 146: "The Statues That Came to Life!").
By July 1954 Lex Luthor and his henchmen have planted explosives in the Statue of Liberty—and in many other world-famous monuments—as part of an elaborate scheme to extort millions of dollars from the governments of the world (S No. 90/3: "The Titanic Thefts!"). (TGSB)
