Located in North America and Asia, the Statue of Liberty and the Statue of Unity are two of the world’s iconic statues.
Generally, there are many differences between the Statue of Liberty and the Statue of Unity. Both statues were publicly unveiled over 130 years ago.
The Statue of Liberty was a gift from the French to the United States and remains the most iconic statue in North America. Designed by a famous French sculptor, the copper statue is a symbol of freedom, towering over a hundred feet on Liberty Island, New York.
The Statue of Unity became the world’s tallest statue when it was unveiled in 2018. The statue is a symbol of the legacy of one man, Vallabhbhai Patel- an independence activist who spent his entire life in the struggle for freedom.
The Statue of Liberty and the Statue of Unity hold a significant meaning in American and Indian history.
Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty is a 151-foot neoclassical sculpture towering over Liberty Island in New York Harbour in New York City. The statue was a gift from the French to America and it was designed by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, a famous French sculptor and painter.
The metal framework of the statue was built by French civil engineer, Alexandre Gustave Eiffel- the designer of the famous Eiffel Tower and the Garabit viaduct railway bridge in France.
The Statue of Liberty is a figure of the Roman goddess of liberty, Libertas. The one hundred and fifty-one Roman goddess of liberty holds a torch with her right, rising above her head. She holds a tabula ansata on her left hand, with an inscription that reads “JULY IV MDCCLXXVI”, which means July 4, 1776, in Roman numerals.
This date marks the U.S. Declaration of Independence. The statue is a symbol of freedom- at her feet, there is a broken chain and shackle to commemorate the abolition of slavery.
The Statues of Liberty was officially dedicated in October 1886. It became an iconic symbol of freedom, a marvel for all immigrants arriving in the United States by sea to gaze upon.
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Building the Statue
In 1865, French historian and abolitionist Édouard de Laboulaye came up with the idea to build the statue. He proposed a monument to mark the 100th year of U.S. independence in 1876 and to commemorate the liberation of enslaved people in America.
The project to build the statue was delayed by the Franco-Prussian War. In 1875, Laboulaye proposed that the United States should provide the site for the statue, but the French would finance the project.
Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi already made the head and the torch-bearing arm before the statue was designed.
Statue of Unity
The Statue of Liberty remains the world’s tallest statue since it was unveiled in 2018. It stands at a towering height of 597 feet (182 metres) near Kevadia, Gujarat, India.
The Statue of Unity depicts India statesman Vallabhbhai Patel. Pated was an independence activist and the first deputy prime minister and home minister of independent India.
The world’s tallest statue is located in Gujarat, on the Narmada River in the Kedadiya colony.
The project to build the world’s tallest statue was announced in 2010. Larsen & Toubro, an Indian company began construction on the statue’s site in October 2013.
According to Wikipedia, the total construction cost was ₹27 billion (US$422 million). The Statue of Unity was designed by an Indian sculptor Ram V. Suta.
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Statue of Liberty vs Statue of Unity: Key Difference between Statue of Liberty and Statue of Unity
The Statue of Liberty was designed by a French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi in the 1800s. The Statue of Liberty has stood for centuries and the representation of neoclassical sculpture marks the centennial of U.S. Independence and the abolition of slavery.
The copper statue on Liberty Island, New York City is a figure of the Roman goddess of liberty, Libertas.
The metal framework on the statue was built by the designer of the Eiffel Tower and the Garabit Viaduct railway bridge, Alexandre Gustave Eiffel.
The one hundred and fifty-one Roman goddess of liberty holds a torch with her right, rising above her head. She holds a tabula ansata on her left hand, with an inscription that reads “JULY IV MDCCLXXVI”, which means July 4, 1776, in Roman numerals.
The Statue of Liberty was dedicated over 130 years before the Statue of Unity was unveiled. It was a gift from the French to the United States, and it still stands as a historical symbol of freedom.
The Statue of Unity was inaugurated a few years ago by the Indian Prime Minister. The project to construct the tallest statue in the world began in 2013. The statue depicts Indian statesman Vallabhbhai Patel (1875-1950).
The project to build the world’s tallest statue was handed to an Indian company Larsen & Toubro. Building the statue cost over $400 million and it was completed within a period of five years.
Located on the Narmada River in Kevadiya colony, Gujarat, India, the Statue of Unity stands at a towering height of 597 feet (182 metres). The statue is directly facing the Sardar Sarovar Dam approximately 100 kilometres (62 miles) southeast of the Vadodara.
Statue of Liberty vs Statue of Unity: Location
The Statue of Liberty was a gift from the French to the United States in the 1800s.
In 1865, French historian and abolitionist Édouard de Laboulaye came up with the idea to build the statue. He proposed that the French finance the project, while the U.S. provide the site and construct the pedestal.
Liberty Island was chosen as the site to build the iconic statue. The Statue of Liberty is a 151-foot copper statue on Liberty Island in New York Habour, New York City, United States.
Geographically, the Statue of Liberty is located between the states of New York and New Jersey. It’s a tourist attraction and the way to get to Liberty Island is by ferry either from New York City Battery Park in Lower Manhattan or from Liberty State Park in Jersey City, New Jersey.
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Statue of Liberty vs Statue of Unity: Location of Statue of Unity
The Statue of Unity is a historical representation of an Indian statesman and first deputy prime minister of independent India.
The world’s tallest statue is located in Gujarat, on the Narmada River in the Kedadiya colony. The statue is directly facing the Sardar Sarovar Dam 100 kilometres (62 miles) southeast of the Vadodara.
Statue of Liberty vs Statue of Unity: Comparison Chart
| Statue of Liberty | Statue of Unity | |
| Location | New York Habour, New York, United States | near Kevadia, Gujarat, India |
| Height (including the Pedestal/Base) | 305 feet (93 metres) | 597 (182 metres) |
| Inaugurated | 1886 | 2018 |
| Material | Copper over steel framework | Steel concrete and bronze coating |
| Designed by | Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi | Ram V. Suta |
| Commemorates | Alliance with France and commemorates freedom | Historical representation of Vallabhbhai Patel, and signifies unity |
| Architectural style | Neoclassical | Modern |
| Visitor experience | Museum, crown access | Viewing gallery museum |
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Conclusion
The Statue of Liberty and the Statue of Unity generally represent freedom and unity. They both hold a significant meaning in American and Indian history.
The Statue of Liberty and the Status of Unity were inaugurated 132 years apart. They are both tourist attractions in America and India. The Statue of Unity was inaugurated on October 31, 2018, to commemorate the 143rd birthday of Vallabhbhai Patel, while the Statue of Liberty was a gift from the French to mark the centennial of U.S. independence and the liberation of enslaved people in America.