The Story of American Patriotic Sisterhood:The Statue of Liberty & Statue of Minerva
Book I of The Historical Sites of G.N.Y.C. Series
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Introduction
3 -
The Thirteen Colonies
5 -
The Declaration of Indpendence
7 -
The Battle of Long Island
8 -
The Statue of Liberty
10 -
The Statue of Minerva
11 -
Conclusion
13 -
Links to Bibliography Resources
(Facts, Music & Graphics)
14
New York was one of the Thirteen Colonies of the American Revolution. There are many historical sites with monuments and also symbolic statues that commemorate the people, places and events of the American Revolution throughout the cities of our state.
As young historians who live in Greater New York City, you can visit the local historical sites to learn about the many patriotic stories of our early American history.
In Book I of The Historical Sites of G.N.Y.C. Series, you will learn about the American Patriotic Sisterhood between the Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island and Statue of Minerva on Battle Hill at GreenWood Cemetery.
This special Patriotic Sisterhood commemorates the official declaration of the Thirteen Colonies for Independence from Great Britian and the first battle thereafter, named the Battle of Long Island(Brooklyn) of August 27-29, 1776.
As you begin the following pages of the book, there are many features to help you along with your reading comprehension. There are: Coaches with question prompts, information text to read, a a glossary with word definitions, pictures to study, Patrtiotic music to set the setting, and related websites to access additional information.
During the 1760s and 1770s, the majority of colonists of the Southern, Middle and New England Colonies were becoming unhappy with King George III of Great Britain and Acts of Parliament such as the Sugar, Currency, Stamp, Quartering, & Townsend Act. The colonists demanded to have representation in Parliament since they were paying many taxes and were mistreated with unfair laws.
At this time, throughout the Thirteen Colonies, the Patriots were rebelling against Great Britain's rule and especially the Redcoats who were watching over them. There was unrest in the Colonies that resulted in the Boston Massacre (1770) and Boston Tea Party (1773).
In 1774, Delegates from the Twelve Colonies(excluding Georgia) secretly met in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to form the First Continental Congress after the "Intolerable Acts" were issued. The goal of the Delegates was to compose a unified statement that would convince Great Britain to treat the Colonists fairly.
Great Britain's unfair rule of the Colonies did not change. The Battle of Lexington and Concord (April 19, 1775) followed which began the American Revolution. Later, another Battle took place named The Battle of Bunker Hill (June 16, 1775).
Click here to learn details about the many events about the time of the American Revolution.
As the War started between the Patriots and British soldiers or redcoats, the Delegates formed a Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After much debate they decided that they had to take action and declare their freedom from British rule and fight for their freedom.
The Delegates appointed Thomas Jefferson as the author and the help of a committee to write a Declaration of Independence that would be presented to King George III. On July 4, 1776, the letter was adopted and signed by the Delegates and the Thirteen United States was officially born. The date July 4th, is a national holiday of the U.S.A. and is known as Independence Day.
Once King George III, received the Delcaration of Independence he was very angry. The King sent instructions by letter to General William Howe of the army and Admiral Richard Howe of the navy who were already in the Colonies to gather forces (Approximate number of British & Hessian-22,000 men) and 400 battle ships to take control of the lower part of New York Colony. The area was called Long Island and King George III knew that if this strategic area and New York city were under British control, the Northern and Southern Colonies would not be able to communicate with each other and the fight for independence would fail.
Once General George Washington learned about the British plans, he knew how important it was to fight them and keep control of New York City and Long Island. On August 27, 1776, troops( Approximate number-19, 000) were sent to Long Island and were positioned on a series of hills.
General William Howe landed his British troops and German Hessians on Long Island and cannons from the battle ships smashed the American camps on the hills(one hill was named Battle Hill) with cannonball fire. He was able to divide the American Army in two and captured one part of it.
After three, days of the Americans bravely fighting, the British were winning the Battle and at last were waiting by the fort at Brooklyn Heights for General Washington to surrender. At this point, he knew there was no other choice but to retreat by trying to escape to northern New York city. As luck would have it as nightfall came, there was heavy rain and fog and Washington secretly ferried across the East river with his troops on small boats. From this retreat, he knew lower New York city and Long Island would eventually be under British control.
The next morning of the battle, General Howe attacked the fort to capture Washington, but there were only several groups of American soldiers left called the "Maryland 400" at Brooklyn Heights who made sure Washington safely escaped.
The British army then crossed over the East river and set New York City on fire and then continued to plan their next move against General George Washington and his troops. Seven years passed for the American patriots to eventually win and General Washington was finally able to return on November 25, 1783 or Evacuation Day to New York city.
On October 28, 1886, the Statue of Liberty was presented as a gift to remember the friendship from the people of France to the American people that was developed during the American Revolution. Also, it was created with symbolic features to commemorate the official Declaration of American Independence from Great Britain on July 4, 1776 and to honor the American patriots who fought for freedom.
Several interesting symbolic features about the Statue of Liberty are that she is holding a tablet with the inscription of our country's birthdate of July, 4, 1776. There are broken chains at her feet which symbolize freedom from Great Britain. The Statue of Liberty faces Battle Hill the highest hill of the Battle of Long Island where the American patriots bravely fought the first major battle after the official Declaration of Independence from Great Britain.
Today the Statue of Minerva sits on the famous Battle Hill(today, part of GreenWood Cemetery) the highest natural point in Brooklyn(220 ft. high). As you learned, it is one of the hills where the brave patriots fought the British troops on August 27-29, 1776 which was soon after the Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776.
The Statue of Minerva and her Altar of Liberty were commissioned by Charles Higgins who made his fortune with Higgins India Ink. He felt the battle was given "little attention " by historians and wanted to honor the American patriots who fought for Liberty.
On August 27, 1920, the 144th anniversary of the battle, the statue and her altar were unveiled. Minerva is positioned to face towards upper New York Harbor and to directly meet the gaze of the Statue of Liberty who is directly facing Battle Hill.
Also, the Statue of Minerva's left hand is upraised in a salute to American patriotic sisterhood with the Statue of Liberty. And, in turn the Statue of Liberty's right upraised arm salutes Battle Hill and the Statue of Minerva.
Now that you have learned about the story of the American patriotic sisterhood between the two statues, it would be a great learning trip to visit both sites. Perhaps one day, your parents or teacher will plan a trip and you will be able to personally see the Statue of Liberty's and Statue of Minverva's symbolc salute to each other.
For now, as young historians, there are many more books to read from The Historical Sites of G.N.Y.C. Series. Each story helps you learn facts to connect you with understanding our great city's historical past.
Pg. 1
http://www.nps.gov/storage/images/stli/Webpages/gallery-01.html (Statue of Liberty)
http://www.webweaver.nu/clipart/usa-flags.shtml (border)
http://archive.org/details/MusicOfTheRevolutionaryWar (Scipio tune)
Personal Photo of Battle Hill (Minerva)
Pg. 2 Introduction
Pg. 3 Introduction
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Nycolony.png (map)
Pg. 4----------
Pg. 5
http://pattyinglishms.hubpages.com/hub/What-is-the-History-of-USA-Part-II (map)
Pg. 6
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Congress_voting_independence.jpg ( Delegates)
http://www.kidport.com/reflib/usahistory/americanrevolution/amerrevolution.htm#Timeline
Pg. 7
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Declaration_independence.jpg https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:US_Declaration_of_Independence_us0036_03.jpg
Pg. 9
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Retreat_from_long_island.jpg (Escape scene)
http://theoldstonehouse.org/battle-of-brooklyn/map/
Pg.10
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Statue_of_Liberty,_NY.jpg (Statue of Liberty)
Personal Photo of Minerva
Pg. 13
http://www.wordle.net/create (personal word cloud)
http://archive.org/details/MusicOfTheRevolutionaryWar (Scipio tune)