September 20, 2011. (Romereports.com) Brazil's most popular symbol, the statue of “Christ the Redeemer” turns 80 on October 12th. Rio de Janeiro will celebrate this in style with these amazing images will take a look back at its history.
The idea to build the monument started in 1922, when the city's mayor pitched the project to celebrate the country's 100th independence anniversary.
The 125 foot statue was designed in Brazil but, it was built in France. It was transported by a boat, in three different parts. To take it to the top of the mountain, the country used its first electric train.
During its inauguration, Italian inventor, Guglielmo Marconi, who's known as the father of long distance radio, was supposed to light up the statue from a yacht in Naples, but bad weather changed everything.
So, in the end, it was lit from Rio.
On its 80th birthday, the statue will have a new lighting system. Aside from all this, the city's Archbishop says, the anniversary will also remind everyone of God's love.
The celebration is being described as the “biggest peace rally on the planet.” It will include a chorus of 800 people who will sing “Christ the Redeemer.” There will also be other events that deal with fashion and athletics.
For decades, the statue has been a true Brazilian icon, but on July 2007, it left its international mark by being declared one of the new seven wonders of the world.
JMB/KLH
