Historical places are buildings or sites that play an essential role in shaping our history, such as monuments to great leaders or sites where significant events took place.
New York City is filled with historic sites that demonstrate freedom and diversity, here are a few that should be visited.
The Great Sphinx of Giza
The Great Sphinx of Giza is an enormous statue resembling a recumbent lion that stands on Egypt’s Giza Plateau and is often assumed to represent Pharaoh Khafre. Historians have long puzzled over this riddle-ridden Sphinx; for instance, no explanation has ever been offered as to why its nose has been removed; some suspect an earthquake might have done this while others think someone purposefully removed it themselves.
The Sphinx was likely constructed approximately 4,500 years ago during the Old Kingdom and serves as guardian of two pyramids erected by fourth dynasty Pharaohs Khufu and Khafre.
Popular myth holds that the Sphinx represents Khafre’s face; however, no concrete evidence to back this claim exists. Additionally, no supporting evidence suggests its use as a tomb; although some passageways were discovered near it during construction which ended dead-end shafts; others may have served as scaffolding at some point during its creation.
The Statue of Liberty
Statue of Liberty in New York City stands as one of America’s iconic landmarks and an international symbol of freedom and democracy. Officially named Liberty Enlightening the World, this monument was gifted from France to America as part of Grover Cleveland’s 1886 Inaugural Address; sculpture Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi created it from sheets of hammered copper while engineers Eugene-Emmanuel Viollet-le-Duc and Alexandre-Gustave Eiffel designed its supporting steel framework.
This statue comprises 300 sheets of coin-thin copper that have been hammered into shape and riveted together, its surface embossed with American flag-colored silk draped over her shoulders; her crown features seven rays representing Earth’s seven seas and continents; her American flag-colored silk robe adorns her shoulders;
The Statue of Liberty is closely connected with America’s immigration history and can serve as an excellent platform to provoke conversations about inclusion, freedom and democracy in everyday life. Students may also enjoy researching Ellis Island which first opened as a federal immigration station in 1892 before closing permanently in 1954.
The Great Pyramid of Giza
The Great Pyramid of Giza, more commonly referred to as Khufu’s Pyramid or Cheops Pyramid, was one of the Seven Wonders of Ancient World. Situated on Giza Plateau in Egypt and used as tomb for Egyptian Pharaohs Khufu and Khafre as well as Menkaure.
The pyramid is a massive structure comprised of limestone, granite and other materials such as brick. It is estimated that its construction consumed more than 2.3 million large blocks of stone from various places such as Giza plateau or Tura and Aswan.
Scientists remain divided as to how the pyramid was built. Most believe its blocks were moved using an intricate network of levers, rollers, and ropes, or along large ramps lubricated with water or wet clay lubricants.
Though the pyramids were destroyed over one millennium ago by grave robbers, evidence suggests they originally contained valuable treasure. Furthermore, there was also a royal mortuary complex surrounding each pyramid.
The Great Wall of China
Chinese leaders began wall-building projects for millennia to protect their kingdoms against northern nomadic tribes, the Great Wall is an iconic representation of ancient China’s farsighted political strategy and powerful military defence forces.
The Great Wall spans northern China from Jiayuguan in Gansu to Shanhaiguan in Hebei, stretching 5,000 kilometers in total. Rebuilt and extended under successive emperors to strengthen military capabilities, brick became increasingly utilized over time as technology advanced. Rammed earth and wood construction methods were initially employed during its initial build, before this evolved further as technology progressed.
Simatai near Beijing boasts one of the best-preserved sections of the Great Wall. With no crowds to contend with at other famous sites, its quiet setting offers visitors a chance to explore this piece without interruption from other tourists. Here you will also find beacon towers and barriers as well as barracks and garrison stations; plus there’s even an etched text section left by builders as a quality-tracking system during Ming Dynasty (1 368-1644).
