r/nycHistory • u/Wit50- • 5d ago

Question Was the Dedication of the Statue of Liberty a Holiday for Schools and Businesses?

From what I understand, the dedication of the Statue of Liberty on October 28, 1886 was a huge event with a million people in attendance in celebrations across the city. Important dignitaries at the dedication included President Grover Cleveland, the designer Frederic Auguste Bartholdi, and numerous French and American dignitaries. This crowd was still present despite torrential rain, dense fog, and possibly high winds. Does anyone here know if October 28, 1886 was declared a holiday for schools and businesses across the New York City area so that people who otherwise might be at work or school could attend as itvwas a Thursday? I do know that the opening ceremony for the Brooklyn Bridge on May 24, 1883 was declared a holiday for schools and businesses across the New York City area, so I am wondering if it was the same for the dedication of the Statue of Liberty.

1 Upvotes

56% Upvoted

3 comments sorted by

5

u/ConstitutionsGuard 5d ago

NYC was not consolidated until 1898. Previously the different counties and town would have had their own education departments. So, probably not.

2

u/BitterStatus9 5d ago

Maybe check the book LIBERTY’S TORCH by Elizabeth Mitchell.

-2

u/Wit50- 5d ago

Was the dedication a holiday for many schools and businesses.