An iconic photograph from 1984, depicting construction worker Anthony Soraci kissing the Statue of Liberty during its extensive restoration, has gained renewed attention as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary.
The image shows Soraci, the grandson of Italian immigrants, perched more than 200 feet above the ground on scaffolding, planting a kiss on the statue's forehead. This act occurred decades after the monument had welcomed his own grandparents to America.
The restoration project, a four-year endeavor, aimed to preserve the Statue of Liberty for its next century. It involved architects, engineers, and conservators who worked on nearly every part of the monument, from its base to its torch.
President Ronald Reagan, in a speech celebrating the statue's centennial in the summer of 1986, referenced the photograph. He described the moment as capturing the essence of America and hailed the dedication of the restoration crews.
"Many of us have seen the picture of another worker here, a tool belt around his waist, balanced on a narrow metal rod of scaffolding, leaning over to place a kiss on the forehead of Miss Liberty," Reagan said. He quoted Soraci, who reportedly expressed pride in the act, stating it was "something to tell my grandchildren."
Reagan connected the workers' commitment to the broader American spirit of hope and freedom, suggesting that their work ensured the light of liberty would continue to unite those in the United States.
Forty years after Reagan's speech, Soraci, now a resident of Texas, recently returned to Liberty Island. He spoke with “ABC World News Tonight” co-anchor David Muir about the experience and the enduring significance of the photograph.
The United States is preparing to celebrate its 250th anniversary with a series of events, including Macy's Fourth of July fireworks displays over the Hudson and East rivers in New York City. The resurfacing of this iconic image highlights the enduring symbolism of the Statue of Liberty in the national narrative.