Did you know that the Statue of Liberty, one of America's most iconic symbols, has a hidden history that many people don’t know about? Here's an intriguing piece of history that’s often overlooked: the original design of Lady Liberty had an African American face and was initially meant as a tribute to the enslaved people who were forcibly brought to America. In 1865, a French political intellectual and anti-slavery activist named Edouard de Laboulaye proposed that a statue representing liberty be built for the United States. This monument would honor the United States' centennial of independence and the friendship with France. His first design depicted Lady Liberty holding chains on her hands and feet, symbolizing freedom from oppression. This powerful image reflected France's solidarity with the fight against slavery in the United States. However, when the statue was presented to America, efforts were made to remove any direct references to slavery. As a result, the face of Lady Liberty was changed to refle…