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The Nation - News from Nov. 26, 1985

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The Statue of Liberty held her lamp high above New York Harbor again after workers hoisted a glimmering, 2 1/2-ton torch plated with gold leaf onto her upraised hand. Unlike the old torch, which contained glass panes and was lit from inside, Liberty’s new light is in keeping with the original design drawn by Frederick Auguste Bartholdi, who created the 305-foot landmark. The flame is covered with several pounds of 24-karat gold leaf and will be illuminated from the outside by spotlights. The old torch, which allowed water to leak inside the statue, was removed July 4, 1984. Foundation officials will not light the new flame until July 3, for the celebration of Liberty’s centennial.

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