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The Huffington Post recently asked the question: "Is the Statue of Liberty Really a Man?"
Author Ed Mazza revealed that the inspiration for the Lady Liberty may have, in fact, been Jean-Charles Bartholdi, the sculptor's brother and not Frederic Auguste Bartholdi's mother.
And while we can continue to speculate as to who the real inspiration was for the Statue of Liberty, it does beg the question: How much do we really know about this iconic figure of American history?
Thankfully, L.A. Times writer Christopher Reynolds shared his insights after a recent visit.
"Even if you're hazy about who is allowed to go where inside the Statue of Liberty, you know this landmark well. I certainly thought I did," Reynolds writers. "Before my New York trip in May, I was confident that the French government gave her to the U.S. out of respect for our democracy and immigrant beginnings. I was pretty sure that the sculptor always had New York in mind. And I knew nothing about Miss Liberty's injuries in World War I."
For those planning to visit the Statue of Liberty National Monument - a worthy undertaking this year as the National Parks Service celebrates 100 years - here is some background to know before you go.
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