Four Freedoms Monument
Encyclopedia
The Four Freedoms Monument was commissioned by President Franklin D. Roosevelt
following his articulation of the "Four Freedoms
" in his 1941 State of the Union Address
. Roosevelt felt that, through the medium of the arts, a far greater number of people could be inspired to appreciate the concept of the Four Freedoms.
The statue was created by sculptor Walter Russell
later that year, and was dedicated in 1943 before a crowd of 60,000 people at Madison Square Garden
in New York City
. It was dedicated to Colin P. Kelly, one of the first recognized American heroes of World War II
. On June 14, 1944, the monument was re-dedicated in Kelly's hometown of Madison, Florida
, with a speech by Governor Spessard Holland
.
Another American artist, Norman Rockwell
, was inspired by Roosevelt's vision to create his own visual depiction of the Four Freedoms — in his case, through a series of four paintings
completed in early 1943.
In Evansville, Indiana there is another Four Freedoms monument designed by Rupert Condict built in 1976, four Indiana Limestone columns. It has become the defacto photo image of the city.
Another monument to the Four Freedoms stands in the Tremont neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio. It is a single column, with one of the Freedoms printed on each side. On top of the column is a sculpture of two hands holding a globe of the Earth.
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
following his articulation of the "Four Freedoms
Four Freedoms
The Four Freedoms were goals articulated by US President Franklin D. Roosevelt on January 6, 1941. In an address known as the Four Freedoms speech , he proposed four fundamental freedoms that people "everywhere in the world" ought to enjoy:# Freedom of speech and expression# Freedom of worship#...
" in his 1941 State of the Union Address
State of the Union Address
The State of the Union is an annual address presented by the President of the United States to the United States Congress. The address not only reports on the condition of the nation but also allows the president to outline his legislative agenda and his national priorities.The practice arises...
. Roosevelt felt that, through the medium of the arts, a far greater number of people could be inspired to appreciate the concept of the Four Freedoms.
The statue was created by sculptor Walter Russell
Walter Russell
Walter Bowman Russell was an American artist and mystic known for his achievements as a painter, sculptor, author and builder and less well known as a natural philosopher and for his unified theory in physics and cosmogony. He posited that the universe was founded on a unifying principle of...
later that year, and was dedicated in 1943 before a crowd of 60,000 people at Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. It was dedicated to Colin P. Kelly, one of the first recognized American heroes of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. On June 14, 1944, the monument was re-dedicated in Kelly's hometown of Madison, Florida
Madison, Florida
Madison is a city in Madison County, Florida, United States. The population was 3,061 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 3,195...
, with a speech by Governor Spessard Holland
Spessard Holland
Spessard Lindsey Holland was an American lawyer, politician and elected officeholder. He was the 28th Governor of Florida from 1941 until 1945, during World War II. After finishing his term as governor, he was a United States Senator from Florida from 1946 until 1971...
.
Another American artist, Norman Rockwell
Norman Rockwell
Norman Percevel Rockwell was a 20th-century American painter and illustrator. His works enjoy a broad popular appeal in the United States for their reflection of American culture. Rockwell is most famous for the cover illustrations of everyday life scenarios he created for The Saturday Evening...
, was inspired by Roosevelt's vision to create his own visual depiction of the Four Freedoms — in his case, through a series of four paintings
Four Freedoms (Norman Rockwell)
The Four Freedoms or Four Essential Human Freedoms is a series of oil paintings produced in 1943 by the American artist Norman Rockwell. The paintings are approximately equal in dimension with measurements of ×...
completed in early 1943.
In Evansville, Indiana there is another Four Freedoms monument designed by Rupert Condict built in 1976, four Indiana Limestone columns. It has become the defacto photo image of the city.
Another monument to the Four Freedoms stands in the Tremont neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio. It is a single column, with one of the Freedoms printed on each side. On top of the column is a sculpture of two hands holding a globe of the Earth.