POSTCARD N.73 - USA

Postcrossing postcard sent  the 3rd(?) April; received on the 12th April
Postcard image:Statue of Liberty
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Over the centuries, France has given a lot to the world, but perhaps nothing as simple and powerful as the three humble words on which the French Republic was erected: Égalité; Fraternité; Liberté.

These are beacons for Humanity. Evergreen ideas that will not subside in spite of men and their petty misconducts centred on the idea that the world revolves around one's navel; on the belief that empathy is the nicest concept provided it comes from others unto us; on the simple lack of awareness to the fact that we are transient and that others will come to take our place, so we'd better leave it better than we found it and not the opposite.

For me, not a French nor an American, the iconic statue that is implanted on an island in  New York's harbour, although being called La Liberté éclairant le Monde, is much more than that: it represents all that is contained in the three little words that the light of its torch somehow illuminates.

May her light be perennial!

Donated by the People of France to the United States the project was the brainchild of Eduard René de Laboulaye a French jurist, writer and ardent abolotionist who saw in it a way to celebrate the centennial of the American Independence and what it represented on the aftermath of the American civil war.

Laboulaye called on the mastery of his friend sculptor Frédéric  Bartholdi to conceive the statue which would be supported on a metal framework drawn up by none other than Gustave Eiffel. Fund raising issues led to delay in the coming into being of the project but Liberté would finaly éclaire le monde on the 28th October 1886, that is to say a decade after the centennial celebrations.

In 1984 is was declared a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO

Thank you so much Rosanne for such a nice postcard (sent inside cover #96) from your hometown.