It is Episode 34 and thank you for hanging with me today while I try to answer a question that has been gnawing at me since digging into the early worlds fairs in America... who is the lady?
Who is the woman in all the statues, on the flyers, postcards and posters, who is this strange strong looking Romanesque goddess that stood at the epicenter of the Chicago World's fair in 1893, who sits atop the capital building, who was the face of liberty on American coins for well over a century and was the subject of praise in the unofficial national anthem until 1931?
After months of wondering and asking I found a name. She is Columbia. Goddess of the new world, Lady of Liberty.
But what is the story of Columbia? She is said to be the goddess that personified the early American spirit, and she makes uncle Sam look like a decrepit old capitalist conqueror with her wise and steady demeanor. I am sure you have a million new questions now which will hopefully be answered in this episode. So who was Columbia? What did she have to do with the shaping of early America? The worlds fairs? The insignia of an entire nation pre-world war II? You wouldn't believe me unless you heard the whole tale and all the various intertwining narratives, stories, symbols, mythologies, deities, and ancient tellings of a similar tale.
I hope you like this one folks, my heart was fully emersed in this subject all week and a giant thank you to everyone who listens to my show or supports me in any capacity.
Love you neighbors,
Kalen Gettler
