What Washington D.C. building is topped by The Statue of Freedom, a Native American woman, cast in bronze by slave laborers?

jojo1210

Nations Capital Jan 23 07, 7:51 AM

skysmom65

"Statue of Freedom" is a bronze statue by Thomas Crawford that is located atop the dome of the United States Capitol in Washington, DC. "Freedom" is a female allegorical figure who holds a sheathed sword in her right hand and a laurel wreath of victory and the shield of the United States with thirteen stripes in her left hand. She wears a helmet adorned with stars and an eagle's head. A brooch inscribed "U.S." secures her fringed robes. She stands on a cast-iron globe encircled with the national motto, E Pluribus Unum. The lower part of the base is decorated with fasces and wreaths. Ten bronze points tipped with platinum are attached to her headdress, shoulders, and shield for protection from lightning. The bronze statue stands 19 feet 6 inches (6 m) tall and weighs approximately 15,000 pounds (6,800 kg). Her crest rises 288 feet (88 m) above the east front plaza. http://www.answers.com/%22Freedom%22%20statue%20 Jan 23 07, 8:03 AM

star_gazer

She is not a Native American woman, anymore than the Statue of Liberty is. Jan 23 07, 8:12 AM

What-A-Mess

There are no "Native Americans" or "Indians" as termed. The land on which the original inhabitants live was neither America or India so to call them either is incorrect. Yes these terms are the majority favorite but they are incorrect. Had the indigenous peoples called this land America or India then to call them by such names would fit! More than anything they are Aborigines or First Nations. As for lady "Freedom"..... "For many years, most people thought that "Freedom" was a Native American figure because of the eagle feathers on her helmet and the difficulty of seeing her from ground level. Others have mistaken her for a representation of Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom and war." (Compliments to Skysmom posting) The "headgear" worn by this statue would certainly appear as "Indian" (it is not) thusly fooling many! Jan 23 07, 8:37 AM

Arpeggionist

"More than anything they are Aborigines or First Nations." I think Leif Ericson's term "skrälings" is still better, since it describes only the native inhabitants of what is now known as North America. Jan 23 07, 5:17 PM

What-A-Mess

I do agree Arpe! Jan 24 07, 4:10 PM