Independence Flagstaff

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Independence Flagstaff
Union Square Park 01.jpg
The monument in 2012
Independence Flagstaff
Location Manhattan, New York, United States
Coordinates 40°44′09″N73°59′25″W / 40.73593°N 73.99031°W / 40.73593; -73.99031
Designer Anthony de Francisci
Height40 ft.

Independence Flagstaff, also known as the Charles F. Murphy Memorial Flagpole, is an outdoor memorial by sculptor Anthony de Francisci, located in Union Square Park in Manhattan, New York, which commemorates the 150th anniversary of the signing of the United States Declaration of Independence. The memorial was cast in 1926 and dedicated on July 4, 1930. It was made of steel, with copper sheathing, and is set on a granite pedestal which includes bronze bas-reliefs and plaques. [1] The monument is in axial alignment with Henry Kirke Brown's statues of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. [2]

The flagpole was originally planned as a memorial to Charles Francis Murphy, but was changed to commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Independence as a result of public opposition to a memorial to Murphy. [1] [3] [4]

References

  1. 1 2 "Union Square Park: Independence Flagstaff". New York City Department of Parks and Recreation . Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Union Square Park: Abraham Lincoln". New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. Retrieved July 23, 2014.
  3. ↑ "Flagpole in Union Square to Honor Murphy; Leading Democrats Have Raised $50,000". The New York Times. March 21, 1926. p. 1. Retrieved November 5, 2025.
  4. ↑ "$80,000 Union Sq. Flagpole Finally Approved; To Commemorate Independence, Not Murphy". The New York Times. May 22, 1930. p. 1. Retrieved November 5, 2025.


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