Hey everyone! Independence Day is right around the corner so let’s get a little festive! Instead of sticking with strictly American themes, I want to take this moment to acknowledge other symbols of freedom from around the world.
Starting in the United States, we are all aware of the Statue of Liberty, gifted to us by the French in 1885 (reassembled in 1886) designed by Frederic Auguste Bartholdi. A symbol of the American promise of freedom and liberty, the Statue of Liberty is recognizable worldwide and has also played into the concept of America being a melting pot due to her French origin.
Of course, France is also one to display works of freedom as well. France boasts smaller Lady Liberty sculptures as well as the massive eye-catching Arc de Triomphe. The Arc was designed by Jean-François Chalgrin and was inspired by the Roman Arch of Titus. Originally wanted by Napoleon, the Arc de Triomphe was inaugurated by King Louis-Philippe who dedicated the structure to those who fought in the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars.
In Latvia, a 138ft sculpture of a massive figure holding three stars at the top of a pedestal towers over Riga. Known as the Freedom Monument designed by architects Karlis Zale and Ernests Stalbergs, the monument survived Soviet occupation and is situated in the former location where a monument of Russian ruler Peter the Great once stood. The monument is in memory of fallen soldiers of the Latvian War of Independence.
Over in Trujillo, Peru, another Freedom Monument designed by German artist Edmund Moeller proudly stands. The sculpture was commissioned in honor of Don Jose Bernardo Marques de la Torre Tagle, a Peruvian soldier, aristocrat, and politician who declared Trujillo as independent in 1820.
In Korea, the grand Memorial Hall for Incheon Landing Operation displays military history from the Korean War. The monument was erected to commemorate the liberation of Seoul from North Korea through General Douglas MacArthur’s plan for an amphibious assault. Not only do they display uniforms and military equipment used during the war, but comparisons of life between North and South Korea.
These are just a handful of monuments from around the world, and only one of many here within the United States, but if one thing is for certain, people all around the world honor those who have given them their freedom and those who have kept them safe. This Independence Day, go and explore more monuments, you may find ones you have never heard of, or learn fun facts about the ones you do! This is also a great opportunity to plan a summer road trip, so happy browsing!
