125th anniversary of Statue of Liberty

A parade of government and private vessels, including the new Hornblower Hybrid, will be part of the ceremonies marking the 125th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty.

Located on a 12-acre island In New York Harbor, Lady Liberty—more formally known as the Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World
—was a gift of friendship from the people of France to the people of the United States. The Statue of Liberty was dedicated on October 28, 1886, designated as a National Monument in 1924 and restored for her centennial on July 4, 1986.

The 1886 dedication was attended by President Grover Cleveland, who proclaimed on that day that “Liberty” would “magnify France beyond the seas.” The dedication was followed by a fireworks display and New York City’s first ever “Ticker Tape” parade.

The anniversary program is jointly sponsored by the U.S. National Park Service and the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Foundation, the Coca-Cola Company and Macy’s. The park intends to re-create, to the greatest extent possible, the actual program that guided that day’s events 125 years ago.  The day will include a naturalization ceremony musical performances, a gun salute, a U.S. Coast Guard sponsored Flotilla, FDNY Fireboat water spout display, a presentation of “Gifts of Friendship” to a representative of the French government, and the ceremonial “lighting” of the new “torch webcam” that will showcase views of NY Harbor and the Statue from the vantage point of Lady Liberty’s torch.

Fireworks sponsored by Macy’s will begin at 7:45 pm and last approximately 12 minutes.

Making its debut as part of the flotilla will be the Hornblower Hybrid, which derives its power from a hydrogen fuel cell, diesel generators, solar and wind. See our earlier story:https://www.marinelog.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=1506:2011oct00272&Itemid=107

October 28, 2011