The Statue of Liberty's torch has been closed to the public since 1916 due to damage from the Black Tom explosion, a German sabotage act during World War I that struck a nearby munitions depot, sending shrapnel into the statue's arm and weakening the structure, making the viewing platform unsafe for visitors. Although the damage was repaired, the arm's integrity was permanently compromised for public access, with maintenance now done via a narrow ladder by park staff.
Why can't we go in the torch of the Statue of Liberty?
Since the Statue of Liberty was so close to Black Tom Island, the shrapnel from the explosion ended up damaging the torch, made of copper and glass. The damage was so severe that to this day, tourists are not permitted to climb into the torch.
What happened to the torch on the Statue of Liberty?
On July 4, 1984, as part of the Statue of Liberty's centennial restoration project, the original torch was removed from the monument. It was placed on display inside the Statue of Liberty's pedestal two years later and moved to a newer museum on Liberty Island in November 2018.
The shockwave was felt as far away as Philadelphia and pelted the Statue with shrapnel. The arm and torch sustained structural damage and were officially closed to the public forever. It remains one of the largest acts of sabotage on American soil.
Why is the Statue of Liberty torch balcony closed?
But, in 1916 a mysterious explosion baffled authorities and caused the uppermost portion of the statue to close forever. Nearby Black Tom Island was at the time producing large amount of munitions to be sold to European countries during the First World War.
When you could visit the Torch of The Statue of Liberty
Will they ever reopen the Statue of Liberty torch?
The attack's most lasting impact affects visitors to the Statue of Liberty today as the torch has been permanently closed ever since due to damage it sustained in the blast. The explosion was not an accident.
Can you still go inside the Statue of Liberty torch?
It was only in 1980 that the torch was replaced, with the original piece now in the Statue of Liberty Museum. While the torch is still off-limits to the public, there's a way to access it, if the need arises.
How many times a year does the Statue of Liberty get struck by lightning?
Lady Liberty is struck by lightning 600 times every year
Standing proud, exposed to the elements, the statue has to withstand around 600 lightning bolts every year and, in high winds, the torch can sway by about 5 inches side-to-side!
On December 15, 2025, a massive 24-meter replica of the Statue of Liberty collapsed during a severe storm in Guaíba, Brazil. The structure, which served as a prominent landmark for a Havan retail store, was toppled by intense wind gusts that reportedly exceeded 90 kilometers per hour.
Statue of Liberty Emoji Meaning. The Statue of Liberty, often used as a depiction of New York City. Due to its initial inclusion in an early Japanese emoji set, it is possible that this emoji was originally intended to represent the recreation of the Statue of Liberty located on the Odaiba island in Tokyo Bay.
“That patina shields the statue from the extreme elements of New York Harbor, like high winds, salt water and air pollution. Cleaning the green patina from the Statue of Liberty could do more harm than good, according to National Park Service spokesman Jerry Willis in a statement to AM New York.”
The Statue of Liberty is not considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World. However, it is listed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as a World Heritage Site. The Seven Wonders of the Modern World are: The Golden Gate Bridge (United States)
The 30/30 lightning safety rule is a simple guideline: if you see lightning and can't count to 30 before hearing thunder, the storm is close and dangerous, so seek shelter (a substantial building or metal-roofed vehicle, not tents). Stay sheltered for at least 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder before resuming outdoor activities, as lightning can strike far from the storm's core, even after the rain stops.
Roy Sullivan, who died in 1983, was a park ranger and fire lookout better known for having survived more lightning strikes in his life than any other human. Sullivan was hit by lightning a preposterous seven times, once in 1942 and on six more occasions between 1969 and 1977 - a rate of almost once per year.
The Statue of Liberty cost approximately $250,000 to build (in 1880 dollars) and was paid for by the French people - not the French government - through a creative fundraising effort that we recognize today as crowdfunding.
The National Park Service does not charge an entrance fee to visit the museums on Liberty Island and Ellis Island, but a ticket for ferry transportation by Statue City Cruises is required to visit the islands.
What is written on the forehead of the Statue of Liberty?
The poem 'The New Colossus' (1883) by American poet Emma Lazarus ('give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free') was written as part of a fundraising effort to build the statue's pedestal.
The lady in the Statue of Liberty represents Libertas, the Roman goddess of liberty, an allegorical figure symbolizing freedom, who was a popular icon in American culture. While she embodies this goddess, sculptor Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi is said to have used his mother's face (Charlotte Beysser Bartholdi) for the statue's features, and her original concept was for an Egyptian peasant woman for the Suez Canal.
